07.122
Dhritarashtra spoke:
Sanjaya, tell me what my people did when the hero Saindhava was slain by Arjuna.
Sanjaya said:
Upon witnessing Jayadratha's death at the hands of Arjuna in the battle, Kṛpa, the son of Śaradvat, was filled with rage.
Drauṇi, with a great shower of arrows, covered the Pāṇḍava and attacked Pārtha, having mounted the chariot, Phalguna.
The two best charioteers attacked the finest chariot from both sides with sharp arrows.
The mighty-armed hero, under the intense barrage of arrows, found himself in great distress, standing out as the best among charioteers.
Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, intended to kill both the teacher and the teacher's son in the battle, and there he performed the duty of a teacher.
He countered the weapons of Drona's son and Sharadvata's son with his own weapons and released slow-moving arrows, aiming to conquer.
The arrows, urged on for victory, did not strike them excessively, but due to their sheer number, they reached a state of great distress.
Then, O king, Śāradvata, struck by the arrows of Arjuna, collapsed onto the chariot seat and fell unconscious.
The charioteer, recognizing his lord as distressed and afflicted by arrows, and knowing that 'this one is killed', removed him from the battlefield.
In the midst of the battle, O great king, Kṛpa, the son of Śaradvat, along with Aśvatthāmā, moved away from the Pāṇḍava to another chariot.
Upon seeing Śāradvata unconscious and struck by arrows, Arjuna, the great archer, felt deep sorrow and lamented from his chariot.
Upon seeing this, the wise minister addressed the king, saying, "The sinful Suyodhana, who will bring about the destruction of the family, has just been born."
"Let this disgrace of the family be sent to the other world, as it will indeed cause great fear to arise among the chiefs of the Kuru."
"This word of the truth-speaker has come to pass. Therefore, today I see Kṛpa lying on the bed of arrows."
"Shame on the conduct of warriors and their reliance on strength and manliness. Who like me would dare to harm a Brahmin teacher?"
The son of a sage, who is my teacher and Droṇa's dear friend, is lying on the chariot seat, struck down by my arrows.
Unwillingly, I was severely pierced by these arrows, and I sank onto the chariot seat, feeling as if my very life was being tormented.
Indeed, wounded by arrows by me, the greatly radiant one is to be seen, overcome by many arrows, indeed by the ten principles of righteousness.
This one grieves again, falling from the son's death, and indeed I am miserable and dejected in my own chariot. See, O Krishna, how I have come to this state.
The best among men, having prepared knowledge, indeed offer it to the teachers here, and those who do so with desire attain divinity.
Those who receive knowledge from their teachers but are the lowest of men and harm them are wicked and indeed destined for hell.
Today, I have certainly committed an act that leads to hell by causing the teacher Kṛpa to fall on the chariot with a shower of arrows.
Kṛpa, while preparing the weapon, told me earlier: "O Kauravya, you must not strike the teacher in any way."
The sage's words, spoken by the great teacher, were not heeded, and he was showered with arrows in battle.
I bow to the most venerable Gautama who fled. Shame on me, O Vārṣṇeya, for I indeed strike him.
Seeing Saindhava slain, Karna approached Arjuna, who was lamenting.
As Karna approached, Arjuna, the mighty warrior, smiled and said to Krishna, the son of Devaki, "Here is what I have to say."
The great charioteer is heading towards Satyaki's chariot, unable to bear the death of Bhuriśravas in the battle.
"Wherever he goes, you should drive the horses there, Janardana. Do not let Satyaki, the bull, follow the path of Somadatta."
Thus, mighty-armed Keśava, addressed by Arjuna, replied with a speech that was timely and full of great splendor.
This mighty-armed one alone is enough for Karna, O Pāṇḍava. What then can be said of the chief of the Satvatas when he is together with the sons of Draupadi?
O son of Pritha, your battle with Karna is not so capable. Vasavi stands here like a blazing great meteor. This is protected for your sake, O slayer of enemy heroes, as it is being worshipped.
Therefore, let Karna proceed here as Satyaki does. I shall discern, O Kauravya, the time of this wicked person.
Dhritarashtra spoke:
The encounter between the son of Vrishni and the hero Karna took place, but Bhurishravas and Saindhava were slain and had fallen.
Satyaki, having lost his chariot, ascended another. Tell me, Sanjaya, which chariot did the two Panchala protectors ascend?
Sanjaya said:
"Alas, I will recount your misdeeds as they occurred in the great battle. Listen attentively and remain steadfast."
Previously, O lord, it was in Krishna's mind that the hero Satyaki should be conquered by Yūpaketu.
O king, Janardana, who knows both past and future, summoned his charioteer and commanded Daruka to have his chariot ready by morning, thus spoke the mighty king.
Neither gods, celestial musicians, yakshas, serpents, demons, nor humans can conquer the two Krishnas.
The gods, led by the grandfathers, and the perfected beings recognized him. Listen to the unparalleled power they possessed and the battle that ensued.
Upon seeing Satyaki without his chariot and Karna ready with his weapon, Madhava, with great swiftness and a sound like a bull, blew his conch.
Daruka, upon understanding the message and hearing the conch's sound, brought the chariot adorned with Garuda's raised banner to him.
With Keshava's consent, the grandson of Shini, who was like the blazing sun and fire, ascended the chariot with Daruka.
The army, led by Sugriva, moved with desirable and strong forces, with horses of great speed, adorned with golden vessels, resembling clouds and flowers.
He mounted the chariot that resembled a celestial vehicle and charged towards Karna, releasing a barrage of arrows.
At that time, the protectors of the wheel, Yudhāmanyu and Uttamaujas, left Arjuna's chariot and advanced towards Karna.
Karna, in great anger, released a shower of arrows and attacked Satyaki and Krishna in battle, O great king.
"Neither in the divine realm, nor among the celestials, nor among demons, serpents, or rakshasas, has such a battle been heard of on earth or in heaven."
The army, complete with chariots, horses, men, and elephants, came to a halt. O great king, upon witnessing their actions, their consciousness was bewildered.
Everyone witnessed that extraordinary battle. O king, the charioteering of the two best men was done by Dāruka.
The charioteer Kāśyapeya, standing on the chariot, was astonished by the revolving circles and turnings of those who had gone and returned.
The gods, gandharvas, and demons in the sky were eagerly watching the battle between Karna and Shainya.
For the sake of their friend, the valiant and competitive warriors Karna and Yuyudhana, also known as Satyaki, fought vigorously in the battle, resembling gods.
O great king, those two warriors showered arrows upon each other. Karṇa overwhelmed the grandson of Śini with his arrow storms.
Karna, unable to bear the death of the Kauravas, was filled with grief and breathed heavily like a great serpent.
The fierce warrior, with eyes blazing in anger, charged repeatedly at Śaineya in the battlefield, demonstrating his prowess as the subduer of enemies.
Satyaki, noticing him enraged, attacked with a massive volley of arrows, akin to an elephant confronting another elephant.
Those two mighty warriors, like tigers, met and fiercely attacked each other in battle, unmatched in valor.
Then the grandson of Śini, the subduer of enemies, repeatedly pierced Karṇa with all kinds of arrows in every part of his body.
He shot his charioteer from the chariot seat with an arrow and killed the four white horses with sharp arrows.
The best among men, having cut the flag into a hundred pieces with a hundred arrows, rendered Karna, your son, chariotless while you were watching.
Then, O king, your warriors, the best among men, including Vṛṣasena, the son of Karṇa, and Śalya, the king of Madra, were disheartened.
The son of Droṇa and Śaineya surrounded them from all sides, causing confusion everywhere, and nothing was clear.
Thus, when Satyaki made the heroic Karna chariotless, an uproar arose among all the armies, O king.
Karna, though distressed and afflicted by Satyaki's arrows, ascended Duryodhana's chariot while sighing, O king.
He honored the friendship with your son since childhood by fulfilling the promise made to grant the kingdom.
Thus, when Karna was without his chariot, your sons, led by Duhshasana, were not slain by the mighty Satyaki.
He upheld the vow once made by Bhimasena, rendering them without chariots and in distress, yet he spared their lives.
Bhimasena promised the killing of your sons, but in the game of dice, Arjuna also vowed to kill Karna.
Karna's followers, despite their efforts, were unable to kill Satyaki, the excellent charioteer, at that time.
Aśvatthāmā, Kṛtavarmā, and other great warriors were defeated by the single bow of one, hundreds of the best among the Kshatriyas, seeking the afterlife and the favor of Yudhishthira.
Satyaki, known for his prowess and as a destroyer of enemies, is comparable to the two Krishnas. In this world, either Krishna or Arjuna can be considered as the wielder of the bow, but a fourth person like Satyaki, the tiger among men, is not found.
Dhritarashtra said:
Satyaki, the young warrior, mounted the invincible chariot of Vasudeva and rendered Karna chariotless, showing prowess equal to Vasudeva.
Sātyaki, proud of his own arm strength and joined by Dāruka, wondered whether he should mount another chariot again.
I wish to hear this, as you are skilled in speaking. I consider it unbearable; please tell me about it, Sanjaya.
Sanjaya said:
"Listen, O king, to how the wise one quickly constructed another chariot for Daruka's younger brother, following the prescribed method."
The chariot was adorned with iron, gold, and cloths, bound with a pole, and decorated with thousands of stars and a lion-flag banner.
The chariot was equipped with horses as swift as the wind, adorned with golden vessels and trappings, and was white like the moon, surpassing all sounds in strength.
O lord of men, adorned with bright golden armor and excellent horses, the sound of bells filled the air, flashing with spears and javelins.
He prepared a chariot that was surrounded by warriors and equipped with many weapons and materials, producing a deep sound like that of a thunderous cloud.
Satyaki mounted and attacked your army, while Dāruka went to Kṛṣṇa as he wished.
O great king, even Karna had very swift horses harnessed with bright golden, conch-white, and cow-milk white colors.
The chariot, adorned with a golden chamber and flag, equipped with mechanical banners, was the foremost among chariots, well-driven and furnished with numerous weapons and equipments.
Karṇa, having taken refuge in him, attacked the enemies. This is everything you asked me about.
"Again, understand that your downfall, caused by the removal of your support, has led to the destruction of thirty-one of your sons by Bhimasena."
Durmukha was placed at the forefront, and constantly, skilled warriors and hundreds of heroes were slain by Sātvata and Arjuna.
O king, by placing Bhishma and Bhagadatta at the forefront, this destruction has occurred due to your poor counsel, O great one.
