07.129
Core and Pancharatra: During the dreadful night battle, the enraged Pandavas and Srinjayas together launched an attack on Drona as the fierce combat continued.
Dhritarashtra spoke:
When the teacher, who was angry yet self-controlled, entered the Pandavas' camp, he addressed Duryodhana, calling him his son and a transgressor of the scriptures.
Having entered the battlefield and moving around, how did the Pāṇḍavas manage to surround the heroic and great archer Droṇa?
Who defended the southern flank of the great teacher? And who defended the northern flank while striking down the enemies in battle?
Dancing on the chariot paths, the best among all warriors, like an angry comet, how did he meet his end?
Sanjaya said:
In the evening, after killing Jayadratha, Arjuna met with the king, and along with Satyaki, the great archer, they rushed towards Drona.
Thus, Yudhishthira and Bhimasena, the Pandavas, swiftly advanced towards Drona, each leading their separate armies into battle.
Similarly, Nakul, the wise Sahadeva, and the invincible Dhrishtadyumna, Shatanika, Virata, along with the Kekayas, the Matsyas, and the army of Shalva, advanced towards Drona in the battle.
Drupada, the king protected by the Panchalas, and the father of Dhrishtadyumna, advanced towards Drona, O king.
The sons of Draupadi, who were great archers, along with the demon Ghatotkacha and their armies, advanced towards the illustrious Drona.
The Prabhadrakas and the Panchalas, numbering six thousand warriors, advanced towards Drona with Shikhandi leading them.
Thus, the other great warriors among the Pandavas, collectively, turned back towards Drona, the esteemed teacher.
As the heroes went to battle, O best of the Bharatas, the night turned dreadful, heightening the fear among the timid.
O king, at that time, it was inauspicious and fierce for the warriors, leading to death and ending the lives of elephants, horses, and men.
During that dreadful night, jackals howled all around, signaling intense fear with their fiery mouths.
Owls were seen, ominously proclaiming great fear, especially dreadful in the Kaurava army.
Then, O King, a great tumult arose in the armies with the loud sounds of drums and mṛdaṅgas.
The environment became tumultuous everywhere with the roars of elephants, neighs of horses, and the sounds of hoofbeats.
Then, O great king, a very fierce battle occurred at twilight between Drona and the Srinjayas, spreading everywhere.
The world was shrouded in darkness, and nothing could be seen. The army and dust had indeed risen all around.
The blood of the man, horse, and elephant mingled together. We could not see the dust on the ground, as it was shrouded by confusion.
At night, the mountain echoed with the terrible crackling sound of falling weapons, as if a bamboo forest was burning.
O king, neither their own nor others' actions were understood as everything became like madness enveloped in darkness at the onset of night.
The dust of the earth, O King, was settled with blood, and darkness approached adorned with golden armors and ornaments.
Then that army of Bharati, adorned with jewels and gold, appeared like the night sky filled with stars, O best of the Bharatas.
The scene was chaotic, filled with the noise of a flock of jackals and crowded with banners of power. It resounded with terrible and frightful howling and shouting, creating an atmosphere of dread.
Then a great, tumultuous, and hair-raising sound arose, enveloping all directions, resembling the thunderous roar of mighty Indra.
At midnight, O great king, Bharati appeared, adorned with armlets, earrings, necklaces, and weapons, shining brightly.
There, the elephants and chariots adorned with gold appeared at night like clouds with lightning.
Spears, maces, arrows, clubs, javelins, and swords were seen falling, shining like fires.
The army, led by Duryodhana, moved forward with chariots and elephants, resembling clouds, accompanied by the thunderous sound of musical instruments and adorned with flags that flashed like lightning.
Drona and the Pandavas, like a storm, wielding swords, spears, maces, and thunderbolts; with arrows and streams of weapons, amidst intense cold and heat, creating a chaotic scene.
They entered the terrible, astonishing, fierce, life-destroying, and unfordable army, very fearful yet desiring to fight.
At the onset of that dreadful night, the loud noises instilled fear in the timid while boosting the morale of the brave.
During the dreadful night battle, the enraged Pandavas and Srinjayas together launched an attack on Drona as the fierce combat continued.
O king, those great souls who turned back in front were made disheartened, and some were led to the abode of Yama.
