07.121
Sanjaya said:
Dhananjaya, the admirable son of Pritha, moved through the battlefield, showcasing his remarkable skills by displaying an array of weapons in every direction simultaneously.
The sun was at its zenith, shining brightly in the sky, and all beings were unable to gaze upon the Pāṇḍava.
In the battle, we observed the great soul's arrows, released from the Gandiva, spreading like rows of swans across the sky.
He restrained the weapons of the heroes entirely with his own weapons, demonstrating his fierce nature, and was engaged in a terrible action.
Arjuna, with the intent to kill Jayadratha, surpassed those best chariots, O king, as if bewildering them with his arrows.
Dhananjaya, with his dark charioteer, released arrows in all directions and moved swiftly in battle, presenting an admirable sight.
The multitudes of arrows of the great hero appeared to be wandering in the sky, seen by hundreds and then by thousands.
We did not see the great archer, the son of Pandu, as he took aim and released his arrows, the son of Kunti, at that time.
Thus, O king, the son of Kunti, having thrown all directions and charioteers into confusion in battle, attacked Jayadratha and pierced him with sixty-four arrows with bent joints.
The Sindhu king, pierced by the arrows of the wielder of the Gandiva bow, could not endure the pain and became very angry, like an elephant tormented by a goad.
Varahadhvaja quickly shot sharp arrows with vulture feathers, flying straight like venomous snakes, polished by the smith, at Arjuna during the battle.
But he pierced the Gandiva bow with three iron arrows, Arjuna with six arrows, the horses with eight, and the flag with one feathered arrow.
Arjuna, having aimed, swiftly cut off the sharp arrows sent by Saindhava with two of his own arrows, and also severed the head of Saindhava's charioteer from his body, along with the decorated flag.
The mighty boar, with its staff broken and body decaying, struck by arrows, fell like a flame of fire, resembling the king of elephants.
At that very moment, as the sun was setting quickly, Janardana, in haste, spoke to Pandava there.
Arjuna, you must swiftly cut off the head of the wicked Jayadratha, for the sun is about to set behind the great mountains. Listen carefully to my instructions regarding the killing of Jayadratha.
Vṛddhakṣatra, known as the father of Saindhava, was renowned in the world. Over time, he was blessed with a son named Saindhava.
The slayer of Jayadratha's enemies addressed the king, and then a hidden voice, resonating like the sound of a cloud-drum, was heard.
Your son will possess qualities such as family heritage, character, and self-control, making him equal to both lineages. He will be the foremost warrior in the world, always honored by the brave.
While he is fighting with enemies in the battle, his head will be cut off by an angry enemy who is unseen on the ground.
Upon hearing this, the king of Sindhu, after contemplating for a long time, addressed all his relatives, overwhelmed by his affection for his son, O subduer of enemies.
In the battle, whoever causes the head of my son, who is fighting and bearing a great burden, to fall on the earth, his head will also shatter into a hundred pieces, without a doubt.
After saying this, Vṛddhakṣatra installed Jayadratha as the king and went to the forest to engage in penance.
He, this radiant one, is performing a formidable and intense penance that is hard to approach, outside this region of Samantapanchaka, O Hanuman.
Therefore, you must cut off the head of Jayadratha in the great battle using a divine weapon, as you are the enemy-killer known for your terrible and wonderful deeds.
O Bharata, quickly place the lord of the ocean, adorned with earrings, in the lap of the aged Kshatriya, who is the younger brother of the son of the wind.
Then you will cause his head to fall on the ground, and your head will also shatter into a hundred pieces, without a doubt.
"As the king, the lord of the earth, might not know this, you, O best of the Kurus, should resort to the divine weapon."
"O delight of Indra, there is nothing that is impossible or unachievable for you in all the three worlds."
Upon hearing these words, the sword, as if licking its lips, was imbued with a touch as powerful as Indra's thunderbolt, enchanted by divine mantras.
Arjuna, always bearing all burdens and worshipped with fragrant garlands, swiftly released the arrow to kill Saindhava.
But he, the arrow released from the Gandiva bow, swift like a hawk, swiftly took away the head of Saindhava, just as a bird might snatch something from the top of a tree.
Dhananjaya once again shot his arrows upwards, causing distress to his enemies and joy to his friends.
At that time, Pāṇḍava, with his arrows forming a cluster, cut off the head outside Samantapañcaka.
At this very moment, the aged Kshatriya king, who is your radiant relative, O lord, is engaged in the worship of the twilight.
Then, he placed the head of the black-haired king of Sindhu, adorned with earrings, on the lap of the seated one.
In his lap lay the unnoticed head of the aged warrior king, adorned with beautiful earrings, O subduer of enemies.
The wise old warrior, having completed his prayers, suddenly fell to the ground as he was rising.
Then, O subduer of enemies, when the earth had reached the head of the king's son, his head shattered into a hundred pieces.
Then all beings were filled with supreme amazement. Vasudeva praised Bibhatsu, the great chariot-warrior.
Then, upon seeing the slain Sindhu king Jayadratha, your sons' eyes were filled with tears of sorrow.
In the battle, Bhimasena, as if to awaken Pandava, filled the heavens and the earth with his mighty lion's roar.
Upon hearing the great noise, Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma, believed that Saindhava had been killed by the noble Phalguna.
Then, with the sound of musical instruments, he encouraged his own troops and advanced in battle towards Bharadvaja, eager to fight.
Then, O king, as the sun was setting, the hair-raising battle between Drona and the Somakas began.
The great warriors, with all their efforts, sought to kill Bharadvaja. After Saindhava was slain, they continued to fight, O king.
The Pandavas, after achieving victory and killing Jayadratha, engaged in battle with Drona, driven by their triumph and intoxicated by success.
Arjuna, having slain the Sindhu king, fought valiantly in battle against your best charioteers, O great king.
The hero, adorned with a crown, annihilated the enemies of the gods completely, just as the rising sun dispels darkness, fulfilling his previous promise.
