07.159
Sanjaya said:
On that night, after Ghatotkacha was killed by Karna, Yudhishthira was overwhelmed with sorrow and rage.
Upon witnessing Bhima resisting your great army, Dhrishtadyumna addressed Kumbhayoni, urging him to hold back.
You are born from the fire to destroy Drona, equipped with arrows, armor, sword, and bow, and you are a tormentor of enemies. Charge into battle joyfully, and do not fear anything.
Janamejaya, Shikhandi, Daurmukhi, and Yashodhana, all charged joyfully at Kumbhayoni from every direction.
Nakula, Sahadeva, the sons of Draupadi, and the Prabhadrakas were present. Drupada and Virata were also there, accompanied by their sons and brothers.
Satyaki, the Kekayas, and Pandava Dhananjaya charged swiftly with the intent to kill Bharadvaja.
In the same manner, let all the charioteers, elephants, horses, and foot soldiers advance towards Drona, the great chariot warrior, in the battle.
Upon receiving instructions from the noble Pandava, they all charged swiftly towards Kumbhayoni, eager for battle.
Droṇa, the greatest among warriors, suddenly confronted the advancing Pāṇḍavas with all his might in the battle.
Then King Duryodhana, in a fit of rage and with all his might, launched an attack on the Pandavas, seeking to avenge Drona's life.
Then the battle began with the weary vehicles and soldiers of the Pandavas and the Kauravas, who were roaring at each other.
The great warriors, blinded by sleep and exhausted, did not make any effort in the battle, O great king.
This night, which was as long as three nights and had a terrifying and frightening form, became like a thousand nights, taking lives. It was especially deadly for those who were wounded and were to be killed.
"Alas, the night has arrived, especially affecting those who are blinded by sleep. All the warriors, indeed, were without enthusiasm and had dejected minds. Both your weapons and those of others are gone, leaving them without arrows."
They, being modest and dutiful, did not abandon their own army, fulfilling their responsibilities with particular attention.
"O Bhārata, some people, having abandoned their weapons, lie down blinded by sleep. Others are on elephants, some on chariots, and others on horses."
The kings, blinded by sleep, failed to notice any movement. In the battle, the warriors sent each other to their deaths, to the abode of Yama.
In their dreams, some others, being unconscious, killed both their own and their enemies in battle.
In the great battle, they stand uttering various words, blinded by sleep, saying 'to fight', with eyes heavy with sleep.
In the battle, some warriors, blinded by sleep, mistakenly attacked and killed each other. It was a scene of chaos and confusion, O king, in that dreadful darkness.
Many people, being greatly deluded by sleep, did not recognize themselves or others being killed in the battle.
Bibhatsu, the bull among men, upon knowing their activity, spoke loudly, his words resounding in all directions.
"You all are tired and blinded by sleep, indeed all with vehicles. The army is covered by darkness and abundant dust."
"If you think so, you soldiers, cease for a moment and close your eyes right here on the battlefield."
Then, when the moon rises again, the sleepless and rested Kurus and Pandavas will strive together for heaven.
Upon hearing the words of the righteous one who knows all dharma, the armies were displeased and began to speak among themselves.
The soldiers cried out 'Karna, Karna', and 'Duryodhana', O king. The Pandava army indeed halted.
Thus, as Arjuna lamented, the army of the Pandavas and yours, O Bharata, ceased from there.
The gods, sages, and all the noble armies, delightedly honored the speech of the great soul.
After honoring Akrura's words, all the armies, O Bharata, remained awake for a moment, tired, O best of the Bharatas.
After gaining rest, your army, O Bharata, comfortably honored the hero Arjuna.
In you reside the Vedas and the weapons, as well as intelligence and prowess. Righteousness, O mighty-armed, and compassion towards all beings, O sinless one, are also found in you.
"May you, O son of Pritha, find comfort in what we wish for you. O hero, swiftly achieve both the cherished and the unwanted desires of the mind."
Thus, the great warriors, after praising that tiger among men, were overcome by sleep and fell silent, O lord of men.
Some are on horsebacks, others in chariots, some on elephant backs, while others lie on the ground.
The armed men, equipped with maces, swords, axes, spears, and armor, were found asleep separately.
The elephants, with their trunks like the coils of serpents and covered in dust, made the earth cool with their breath as they slept, oblivious to their surroundings.
The elephants, breathing heavily on the ground, appeared there like mountains shattered by the heavy breaths of great serpents.
The horses, adorned with golden harnesses and flowing manes, trampled the earth, making it both level and uneven with their hooves. Everywhere, O king, they rested, still harnessed to their chariots.
It was as if it was a wonderful picture placed on a cloth by experts, broken by sleep, speechless, and without strength in its feet.
The young warriors, adorned with earrings, were mutually wounded by arrows. They lay submerged in the pots, resembling elephants asleep, as if attached to the bosoms of their lovers.
Then, the eastern direction was adorned by the moon, which brought joy to the eyes and was like the pale cheek of the beloved, under the lordship of the lotuses.
Then, after a moment, the Lord, marked with a hare, appeared in front, showing the red hue while swallowing the radiant light.
After Aruna, the moon gently spread its vast network of rays, shining with a golden brilliance.
The moonbeams, with their light, dispelled the darkness and slowly spread across all directions, the sky, and the earth.
Then, after a moment, the world seemed to be filled with light. The invisible darkness quickly disappeared.
In the world illuminated by the moon, when it became day, the night creatures, O king, wandered and did not wander thereafter.
The army, O king, was awakened by the moon's rays and perceived a vast forest of lotus flowers in the water.
Just as the ocean is agitated by the rising of the moon, he became an ocean of strength, stirred by the moon's rise.
Then, O lord of men, the battle resumed once more, aiming for the destruction of the world, as they desired the supreme realm.
