07.131
Core and Pancharatra: Somadatta attacks Satyaki with vengeance for killing his son along with the support of Duryodhana. Drushtadyumna comes to Satyaki's support. When Somadatta becomes unconscious, Ashwatthama tries to attack, but is stopped by Ghatotkacha. In the intense battle, Ashwatthama kills Anjanaparvan, the grandson of Bhima; while Ashwatthama stays occupied countering the illusion-filled battle with Ghatotkacha, Duryodhana directs his sixty thousand army to attack Bhima and Yudhisthira. Ashwatthama kills Ghatotkacha in the intense battle along with other warriors like Suratha, the son of Drupada, Śrutañjaya, the younger brother of Suratha, Pṛṣadhra, Candradeva, Mānin, and ten sons of Kuntibhoja.
Sanjaya said:
Somadatta, deeply angered by the death of his son at the hands of Satyaki, who was seated for death, addressed Satyaki with words.
In ancient times, the duty of a warrior was observed by the gods and the great souls. How is it that you, O descendant of Sātvata, have abandoned this duty and are now engaged in the ways of a thief?
How could a wise warrior, devoted to his duty, strike someone who has turned away, is distressed, has laid down arms, and is begging?
Among the Vṛṣṇis, two great warriors are renowned: Pradyumna, known for his mighty arms, and you, Sātvata, recognized in battle.
How could you, by Arjuna, commit such a cruel act deserving of downfall to someone who is fasting unto death and has severed arms?
I swear by the sons of Sātvata and by the virtuous deeds, if this night has not passed, you consider yourself a hero.
Without the protection of Pārtha and Jiṣṇu, along with my sons and younger brothers, I would not commit the act of killing; instead, I would rather fall into a terrible hell, O defamer of the Vṛṣṇis.
After speaking in great anger, the mighty Somadatta blew his conch and roared with the sound of a lion.
Then the mighty Sātvata, with eyes like lotus petals and teeth like a lion, spoke angrily to Somadatta.
Bhūriśravā, the valiant son and great chariot-warrior, was slain. Likewise, O king, Śala was deeply afflicted by the sorrow of his brother's demise.
Today, I will kill you along with your sons, animals, and relatives. Stand ready now in battle, as you are a Kaurava, especially.
In King Yudhishthira, all virtues such as charity, self-control, purity, non-violence, modesty, steadfastness, and forgiveness are ever-present and imperishable.
You, who were once defeated by the brilliance of Mṛdaṅgaketu, will meet your end in battle alongside Sakarṇa and Saubala.
I swear by the feet of Krishna and by my good deeds that if I do not kill you and your sinful son in battle out of anger, then if you leave, you will be free.
Thus, after speaking to each other with eyes red with anger, the two great warriors engaged in a fierce exchange of arrows.
Then Duryodhana, with a thousand elephants and ten thousand chariots, surrounded Somadatta and stood ready for battle.
Shakuni, who was very angry and the best among all weapon-bearers, was surrounded by his sons, grandsons, and brothers who had the prowess of Indra. He, your brother-in-law, was mighty-armed, youthful, and had a body as strong as a thunderbolt.
The wise Somadatta, a great archer, protected all around with more than a hundred thousand horses.
Satyaki, being protected by the warriors, was covered. Seeing him being covered with arrows having bent joints, the angry Dhrishtadyumna approached, leading a great army.
O king, the sound of the armies striking each other was like that of oceans struck by fierce winds.
Somadatta attacked Sātvata with nine arrows, but Sātyaki, in turn, killed the Kuru hero with ten arrows.
He was severely pierced by a strong warrior in battle with a sturdy bow, and upon reaching the chariot seat, he lost consciousness and fainted.
Seeing him bewildered, the charioteer quickly took the great warrior Somadatta away from the battlefield.
Seeing him unconscious and struck by Yuyudhana's arrows, Ashwatthama, Drona's son, angrily charged at Satyaki at the forefront of the battle.
Bhaimaseni, in great anger, stopped the enemy approaching Śaineya's chariot.
A formidable era of iron, shrouded in bear skin, was upon them, equipped with vehicles resembling elephants, yet devoid of horses or elephants.
The king of vultures, with eight wheels scattered, eyes open, cooing, with a flag and an elevated beak, was shining.
He mounted the large chariot, which was equipped with eight wheels and adorned with a garland of mantras and a red wet flag.
He was surrounded by a formidable army of demons, each with terrifying forms, wielding spears and maces, and stationed at the mountain's base.
The kings, upon seeing him with his great bow raised, were filled with distress, as if witnessing death itself holding a staff at the end of an era.
Your son's army, afflicted by fear, was agitated like the Ganga, whose waves were disturbed and rose high due to the wind.
The roar of the lion employed by Ghatotkacha frightened them, causing the elephants to urinate and the men to tremble greatly.
Then, during the evening, there was an intense rain of stones all around, unleashed by the demons with enhanced power upon the earth.
Iron discs, missiles, javelins, and spears fall unceasingly, along with pikes, hundred-killers, and swords, creating a relentless barrage.
Upon witnessing the fierce and terrible battle, the kings, along with your sons and Karṇa, were distressed and fled in all directions.
There, Drona's son, who was proud and boasted of his weapon strength, remained undisturbed and dispelled the illusion created by Ghatotkacha with his arrows.
When the illusion was destroyed, the enraged Ghatotkacha unleashed a barrage of dreadful arrows that struck Ashwatthama.
The arrows, like infuriated serpents, swiftly pierced the son of Sharadvati and entered the earth, their golden feathers gleaming and tips sharpened like stone.
Ashwatthama, in his rage and with swift hands, demonstrated his might by piercing the furious Ghatotkacha with ten arrows.
Ghatotkacha, though severely wounded by Drona's son in his vital parts, managed to take hold of the discus with countless spokes, despite being in great distress.
Ashvatthama, with the intention to kill, hurled the weapon, which was sharp-edged, like the rising sun and adorned with jewels and diamonds, at Bhimasena.
With great speed, the arrows scattered by Aśvatthāmā fell in vain on the ground, like the futile intentions of the unfortunate.
Then Ghatotkacha, upon seeing the disc fall, swiftly covered Ashwatthama with arrows, just as Rahu eclipses the sun.
The glorious son of Ghatotkacha, resembling a mass of split collyrium, blocked the advancing Drona's son, like a mountain king halting the wind.
Anjanaparvan, the grandson of Bhimasena, shone like Mount Meru battered by the streams of a cloud.
Ashwatthama, displaying the might of Rudra, Upendra, and Indra, calmly cut down Anjanaparvan's flag with a single arrow.
He cut the charioteer with two arrows, his trivenuka with three, the bow with one, and the four horses with four arrows.
With a very sharp arrow, he cut the sword, which was adorned with golden spots and raised from the hand of the chariotless, into two.
O king, the golden-limbed mace was swiftly whirled and thrown by the son of Hidimba, but it was struck by arrows and fell, hit by Drona's son.
Then, like a roaring dark cloud, he ascended to the sky and showered trees from above, with black joints.
Then Drona's son, Ashwatthama, attacked Ghatotkacha's son, who was an illusionist, in the sky with his arrows, just as the sun pierces through a cloud with its rays.
He descended and stood again on the gold-adorned chariot, resembling the majestic and towering Anjana mountain.
Drona's son, Ashwatthama, killed Anjanaparvan, the grandson of Bhima, just as Lord Shiva (Maheshvara) killed the demon Andhaka.
Then, upon witnessing his son slain by the mighty Ashwatthama, he approached Drona's son, his limbs trembling with rage.
Unperturbed, he addressed the hero, the son of Sharadvati, who was fiercely burning through the Pandava army like a raging forest fire.
"Stay, stay, son of Drona, you will not escape alive. Today, I will kill you just as the son of Agni killed Krauncha."
Ashwatthama said:
"Go, my child, and fight alongside others with the valor of the gods. O Hidimba, it is not right for a father to be oppressed by his son."
"Indeed, O Hidimba, I am not angry with you. However, an angry being might harm himself."
Sanjaya said:
Upon hearing this, the son of Bhimasena, overwhelmed with anger and grief for his son, with eyes reddened, addressed Aśvatthāmā in distress.
Why should I, born in the great Kuru family and from Bhima, be afraid of Drona's son like an ordinary person in battle?
I am the son of the Pandavas, known for never retreating in battles. I am the overlord of the Rakshasas, comparable to Dashagriva in strength.
"Stop, stop, son of Drona, you will not leave here alive. Today, I will destroy your confidence in battle on this battlefield."
Having spoken thus, the mighty demon with eyes red in anger rushed towards Drona's son, furious like a lion attacking an elephant.
Ghatotkacha rained down arrows as large as chariot axles upon Ashwatthama, the formidable warrior, like a cloud pouring rain.
Drona's son dispersed the shower of arrows that had not reached. Then, in the sky, it seemed as if another battle of arrows had begun.
Then, as the weapons clashed, sparks flew, illuminating the sky like fireflies adorning the night.
Upon hearing that his illusion was destroyed by Ashwatthama, who was proud in battle, Ghatotkacha, in turn, created another illusion and vanished once more.
He transformed into a towering mountain, its peaks densely covered with trees, and equipped with spears, javelins, swords, clubs, and flowing streams of water, appearing majestic.
Drona's son, observing the mountain that appeared like a mass of collyrium, remained undisturbed by the numerous groups of descending weapons.
Then, Drona's son, with a smile, launched the thunderbolt weapon, causing the mountain lord to be quickly destroyed.
Then he transformed into a dark cloud with Indra's bow in the sky and fiercely showered stones, covering Drona's son in the battle.
Then, the son of Droṇa, the best among those skilled in weaponry, fixed the wind weapon and dispersed the dark cloud that had arisen.
Drona's son, Ashwatthama, skillfully covered all directions with his arrows and killed a hundred of the best warriors riding chariots.
He saw Ghatotkacha, unperturbed and surrounded by many demons, coming again by chariot with a long bow.
They were like lions and tigers, possessing the prowess of intoxicated elephants, and were mounted on elephants, chariots, and also on horseback.
With their mouths, heads, and necks open, they were accompanied by the followers of Hidimba, the descendants of Pulastya, and fierce demons of dark nature.
The heroes, bearing various weapons and adorned with diverse armors and ornaments, were mighty and emitted terrifying sounds, their eyes bulging with rage.
Then, seeing your dejected son amidst the demons who were present and intoxicated with battle, Drona's son spoke:
"Stand firm, Duryodhana and others; do not be confused. You are with brothers, heroes, and kings who possess Indra-like prowess."
"I will destroy your enemies; you will not face defeat. I promise you truly, so console your army."
Duryodhana said:
"O son of Gautami, I do not find it surprising that your mind is so great and that you have supreme devotion towards us."
Sanjaya said:
After addressing Ashwatthama in this manner, he then spoke to Saubala, who was surrounded by a hundred thousand battle-ready chariots.
With sixty thousand elephants, proceed to Dhananjaya. Karna, Vrishasena, Kripa, and Nila are also there.
Kritavarma from the north, along with Purumitra, Shrutarpana, Duhshasana, Nikumbha, Kundabhedi, and Urukrama, were present.
Puranjaya, Dṛḍharatha, and others, adorned with banners and golden lotuses, including Śalya, Aruna, Indrasena, Sanjaya, Vijaya, and Jaya, were present.
The lotus-eyed Puru, Krathi, Jayavarma, and Sudarshana will accompany you with sixty thousand soldiers.
"Conquer Bhima, the two Yamas, and Dharmaraja, uncle, as the lord of the gods conquers demons. My hope of victory rests in you."
O uncle, like the son of Pāvaka conquers demons, defeat the sons of Kunti whose bodies are greatly wounded and torn apart by the arrows of Aśvatthāmā.
Upon being addressed in this manner, Saubala, your son, swiftly proceeded with the intention of pleasing your sons, O king, and indeed with the desire to harm the Pāṇḍavas.
Then, a fierce battle commenced at night between Aśvatthāmā and the demon, reminiscent of the legendary battle between Indra and Prahlāda.
Then, in a fit of anger, Ghatotkacha struck the son of Gautami on the chest with ten firm arrows that were like poison and fire.
He was struck hard by the arrows of Bhima's son and others, causing him to shake in the middle of the chariot like a tree swayed by the wind.
Ghatotkacha, with a respectful gesture and an arrow, swiftly severed the brilliant bow held by Ashwatthama.
Then, Drona's son picked up another mighty bow that could bear great weight and rained down sharp arrows like torrents of water from a cloud.
Then, O Bharata, the son of Sharadvati dispatched the golden-feathered, enemy-slaying arrows that roamed the skies towards the enemy.
The herd of broad-chested demons, struck by arrows, looked like a bewildered and intoxicated group of elephants attacked by lions.
The Lord, having annihilated the demons along with their horses, charioteers, and chariots with his arrows, burned them like a fire consumes all beings at the end of an era.
He shone greatly after burning the army of demons with arrows, just as Lord Shiva (Maheśvara) had once burned the city of Tripura in the heavens.
At the end of the age, Vasu, fierce as if having burnt all beings, shone. The son of Drona, the best among the victorious, placed your forces.
O Bharata, among the thousands of kings and the sons of Pandu, no one can face Drona's son in battle except the mighty Ghatotkacha, the lord of the demons.
With eyes reddened by rage, he, the best of the Bharatas, struck his palm with his other palm and bit his lips. In anger, he commanded his charioteer, "Take me to Drona's son."
He, with a terrible form and the victorious banner, went to duel once more with the son of Drona, the destroyer of enemies.
The enraged demon hurled the eight-wheeled, extremely fierce weapon, crafted by Rudra, at Droṇa's son.
Drona's son, after jumping, seized her and placed the bow on the chariot. He then threw it and jumped down from his own chariot.
With horses, charioteer, and flag, the great splendor made the vehicle into ashes and entered the earth, piercing it with a very terrible thunderbolt.
Upon witnessing the act of Drona's son, all creatures offered their reverence. He then leapt and seized the dreadful weapon crafted by Lord Shankara.
Bhaimaseni, having reached Dhrishtadyumna's chariot, then released sharp arrows once more at the chest of Drona's son, O king.
Dhṛṣṭadyumna, remaining calm, shot arrows with golden feathers that were like serpents at the chest of Droṇa's son.
Then Drona's son released thousands of arrows, and they both countered his arrows with ones that resembled flames of fire.
The fierce battle between the two mighty warriors, resembling lions, brought joy to the warriors and to Drona's son, O best of the Bharatas.
Then Bhima arrived at that region with a thousand chariots, hundreds of elephants, and six thousand horses.
Then the Rakshasa engaged in battle with Bhima's son and Dhrishtadyumna along with their followers. The virtuous Drona's son performed his actions with ease.
There, Ashwatthama, the son of Drona, displayed an extraordinary feat of valor that no other being could accomplish, O Bharata.
In the blink of an eye, he annihilated the demon army, complete with horses, charioteers, chariots, and elephants, using his sharp arrows.
While Bhimasena, Hidimba, the son of Prishata, the two sons of Yama, the son of Dharma, Vijaya, and Acyuta were looking on.
The elephants, struck by arrows with deep and graceful movements, fell to the ground like mountains with two peaks.
The earth appeared as if it was adorned with severed elephant trunks scattered around, resembling snakes slithering here and there.
The earth was resplendent with golden staffs and royal umbrellas scattered around, resembling the sky adorned with the risen moon, sun, and planets at the end of an era.
The place is adorned with flags and frogs, drums and spread-out tortoises. It is decorated with rows of umbrellas and swans, and garlanded with foamy yak-tail fans.
The area was teeming with herons, vultures, and large crocodiles, cluttered with numerous weapons and fish. Chariots were scattered around, and the embankments were grand, with trees beautifully adorned with flags.
The scene was filled with arrow-fish, appearing very terrible, armed with spears and powerful dreadful sounds; it was a great mire of marrow and flesh, devoid of bodies and moonlight.
The warriors, mounted on the lord of serpents' horses, were stained with moss-like hair, causing faintness to the timid, as they arose from the expenditure of their bodies.
Drona's son unleashed a mighty river of blood, echoing with the cries of warriors and filled with waves from their wounds.
Drauni, after defeating the demons with his arrows, ventured into the terrifying ocean that is the abode of death and tormented Hidimba.
Once again, Drona's mighty son, filled with intense anger, pierced the sons of Pritha and Vrikodara with volleys of arrows.
The lord killed Suratha, the son of Drupada. Again, in battle, he killed Śrutañjaya, the younger brother of Suratha.
Drona's son, O king, struck the army of strength, the army of victory, and the victorious horses. He, known as Shrutahvaya, led them to the abode of Yama.
With three other sharp, well-feathered arrows, he led the mighty Shatruñjaya, adorned with a golden garland, to the realm of Indra.
He killed Pṛṣadhra, Candradeva, and Mānin, and in the battle, he slew ten sons of Kuntibhoja with ten arrows.
Ashwatthama, in great anger, aimed a fierce and straightforward arrow and released it with a fully drawn bow, an excellent arrow that was as terrible as the rod of Yama, quickly targeting Ghatotkacha.
The great arrow, having pierced the demon's heart, swiftly entered the earth with its feathers, O lord of the earth.
Upon realizing that he was slain and had fallen, Dhrishtadyumna, the great chariot-warrior, took away another chariot from the presence of Drona's son, addressing the king.
Thus, after defeating the army of Yudhishthira, which had turned its chariots away, in battle, the valiant son of Drona roared loudly. He was honored by all beings and your sons, O Bharata.
Then, the earth was filled with the bodies of night-roamers, pierced and cut by hundreds of arrows, making it resemble a rugged and terrifying mountain landscape.
The celestial beings, including siddhas, gandharvas, piśācas, nāgas, suparṇas, ancestors, birds, rakṣasas, spirits, along with Drauṇi, apsarases, and gods, all worshipped him.
