07.151
Pancharatra and Core: In the midst of the ongoing battle between Karna and the Rakshasa, the powerful Rakshasa king Alayudha made his approach.
Sanjaya said:
In the midst of the ongoing battle between Karna and the Rakshasa, the powerful Rakshasa king Alayudha made his approach.
Suyodhana, equipped with a formidable army, approached, surrounded by thousands of deformed demons and heroes assuming various forms, all while remembering past enmities.
His relative, the mighty Baka, who was known for devouring Brahmins, was slain. Likewise, Kirmira and the powerful Hidimba, who was a friend, were also defeated.
He, recalling the long-standing enmity from the past, recognized the battle of the night and sought to kill Bhima in the fight.
He, eager for battle, spoke to Duryodhana with the intensity of an intoxicated elephant and the anger of a serpent.
You are aware, O great king, of how Bhima killed the demons Hidimba, Baka, and Kirmira, who were my relatives.
A consultation was held with the maiden Hiḍimbā in the past. What other demons, disregarding us, indeed?
I have personally come to slay Hidimba, along with his ministers and his entire retinue of horses, chariots, and elephants, O king.
Today, I will kill all the sons of Kunti led by Vasudeva and devour them along with all their followers. Restrain all the forces, we will fight the Pandavas.
Upon hearing those words, Duryodhana, filled with joy, then honored and spoke words while being surrounded by his brothers.
"With you leading the group, we shall fight against the enemies. My soldiers, with their hostile minds, will not stand firm."
After saying "Let it be so" to the king, the chief of the demons swiftly went towards Bhima, accompanied by the man-eaters.
O King, Ghatotkacha appeared with a radiant form and a chariot that shone with the brilliance of the sun.
His chariot, adorned with many arches and covered with bear skin, resounded with an incomparable sound. It was a great chariot, measuring four units.
His horses were swift and had bodies like elephants, making harsh sounds. A hundred of them were yoked together, massive in size, and they fed on flesh and blood.
The sound of his chariot was as loud as a great cloud. His bow was very large, with a strong string, and extremely powerful.
His arrows were as strong as axles, adorned with golden feathers and sharpened on stone. He, the mighty-armed hero, was indeed like Ghatotkacha.
His great jackal protector became a banner as brilliant as fire and sun. He, in the form of Ghaṭotkaca, appeared most glorious, with a face that was distressed and inflamed.
He is adorned with a shining armlet and a garlanded shining crown, wearing a garland, turban, and a bound sword. He carries a mace, sling, club, plough, and bow, and possesses a body as large as an elephant.
By that chariot with fiery splendor, he drove away the Pandava army and shone in the battle, moving around like a cloud adorned with lightning in the sky.
The mighty and excellent kings, armored and shielded, fought joyfully all around the Pandava warrior heroes, O king.
