07.164
Sanjaya said:
In that dire situation, where the destruction of men, horses, and elephants was ongoing, Duḥśāsana, the great king, engaged in battle with Dhṛṣṭadyumna.
He, though attached to the golden chariot and afflicted by Duḥśāsana's arrows, in his anger, showered arrows upon your son's horses.
In an instant, O great king, the chariot of the son of Prishata, complete with its banner and charioteer, vanished from sight, enveloped by arrows.
Duhshasana, O king, was unable to stand before the great son of Panchala, being overwhelmed by the barrage of arrows.
The son of Pṛṣata, after repelling Duḥśāsana with his arrows, directed a shower of thousands of arrows towards Droṇa and advanced towards him in the battlefield.
Hārdikya Kṛtavarmā then approached, and three brothers surrounded him.
The two warriors, resembling the Yamas, followed him closely from behind, guarding him as he advanced towards Drona, glowing like a blazing fire.
The seven great charioteers, filled with anger and courage, engaged in battle, ready to face death head-on.
The pure-minded ones, with pure conduct, O king, honored by heaven, engaged in a noble battle, each desiring to conquer the other.
The wise kings of noble birth and pure actions chose not to engage in the righteous war, instead observing the path of the highest virtue.
In that place, there was no unrighteousness or battle without weapons. Here, there is neither ear nor reed, neither smearing nor cloth.
There was neither a needle nor anything brown here, neither cow bone nor elephant bone. The arrow was neither joined nor rotten, nor was it crooked.
They wielded only pure and straight weapons, seeking other worlds and fame through righteous battle.
It was a fierce and flawless battle between your four warriors and the three Pāṇḍavas.
Dhṛṣṭadyumna, after defeating your chariot-warriors, O king, and observing them being repelled by the two sons of Yama, quickly advanced towards Droṇa with his weapons.
The heroes, restrained by the two lion-like men, were engaged like the four winds on the mountains.
Together with the two foremost charioteers, Dhrishtadyumna advanced towards Drona.
Seeing Pāñcālya, who was arrogant in battle, approaching Droṇa, and noticing them engaged by the two Yamas, he seized the opportunity to attack.
Duryodhana, the great king, was indulging in the feast of battle, his presence gleaming with blood. Satyaki swiftly attacked him once more.
Kuru and Mādhava, both fearless and smiling, approached each other closely like tigers among men and came together.
In their childhood, they fondly recalled all the events, looking at each other and smiling repeatedly.
Then King Duryodhana spoke to Satyaki, criticizing his own behavior, despite being a dear friend.
"Shame on anger, shame on friendship with greed, shame on delusion and intolerance. Let there be shame on the conduct of the warrior class and on inherited strength."
"O best of the Shinis, you and I are bound by mutual affection. You are dearer to me than life itself, and I am always dear to you."
I recall all those childhood events we shared, which are now worn out in the battlefield. What else remains? Today, I fight you, O Sātvata, driven by anger and greed.
Satyaki, the master of weapons, smilingly replied to him, O king, while raising sharp arrows.
This is not a royal assembly, O prince, nor a teacher's residence, but a place where we once played together, O king, when we were gathered.
Duryodhana said:
"Where has our childhood play gone, O best of the Śinis? And where is this battle again? Indeed, time cannot be overcome."
What is truly our duty with wealth, driven by the desire for it, where we all gather and fight out of greed for wealth?
Sanjaya said:
Madhava addressed the king who was speaking in that manner, saying that it is the nature of the kshatriya to sometimes even slay their elders.
"If I am dear to you, O king, then kill me without delay. For your sake, O best of the Bharatas, I shall attain the worlds of virtue."
Show me quickly that power and strength of yours. I do not wish to see this great distress of my friends.
In this way, after clearly speaking and replying, Satyaki quickly and calmly approached without any concern, O lord of men.
Seeing him approaching, your son attacked Satyaki with arrows, O king.
Then the fierce battle began between the Kuru and Madhava warriors, both enraged, like a fight between elephants and lions.
Then Duryodhana, with ten sharp arrows fully drawn and released, pierced Satyaki, who was fierce in battle.
Satyaki attacked him with ten arrows, then again with fifty, and in the battle with thirty and ten more.
While he was aiming his arrows and bow, Satyaki swiftly cut it off and showered him with arrows.
Duryodhana, deeply wounded and distressed by Krishna's arrow, retreated to another chariot, O great king.
After taking a rest, your son once more advanced towards Satyaki, unleashing a barrage of arrows at Yuyudhana's chariot.
Similarly, Satyaki shot arrows at Duryodhana's chariot, and a great confusion ensued, O King.
There, as arrows were being hurled and falling all around, a great sound arose, resembling the roar of a fire in a vast forest.
There, upon seeing Madhava, the supreme charioteer, Karna swiftly moved forward with the intent to safeguard your son.
However, mighty Bhimasena could not forgive him and swiftly advanced towards Karna, unleashing a barrage of arrows.
Karna, with a smile on his face, deftly countered the sharp arrows, cut the bow and arrows, and struck the charioteer with his arrows.
Enraged, Bhimasena, the Pandava, took up his mace and crushed the enemy's flag, bow, and charioteer in the battle.
Karna, unable to bear the situation, engaged in battle with Bhimasena using a variety of arrows and weapons.
In the midst of the confusion, King Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma, addressed the foremost warriors of the Pāñcālas and Matsyas, calling them the tigers and bulls among men.
Those who are our vital forces and leaders, our mighty warriors, they are now aligned with the sons of Dhritarashtra, the best among men.
Why are you standing there like fools, all devoid of consciousness? Go to where my chariots are fighting.
By upholding the duty of a warrior, all of you, free from any distress, will either conquer or, if slain, reach the desired goal.
After conquering, you will perform many sacrifices with generous gifts, or if slain, you will become food for the gods and reach the plentiful worlds.
Urged by the king, the valiant warriors, who were great charioteers and ready for battle, swiftly organized their forces into four divisions and advanced towards Drona.
The Panchalas attacked Drona from one side with many arrows, while Bhimasena and his followers surrounded him from the other side.
Three great warriors, the straightforward sons of Pandu, including the twins and Bhimasena, called out to Arjuna.
"Arjuna, quickly attack and drive away the Kurus from Drona. Then the Panchalas will kill him, the protector who has been slain."
Arjuna suddenly charged at the Kauravas, while Drona confronted the Panchalas led by Dhrishtadyumna.
Then Droṇa caused a great massacre of the Pāñcālas, just as Indra, in his wrath, once annihilated the demons in battle.
O great king, even when being attacked by Drona's weapon in battle, the brave great warriors did not fear the enemy in the battle from Drona.
O great king, as they were being slain, the Panchalas and the Srinjayas approached Drona in battle, attempting to bewilder the great chariot-warrior.
A terrible sound arose all around as the Pāñcālas were being destroyed by arrows and spears.
As the great soul released Drona's weapon in the battle, the Panchalas were being killed, and fear gripped the Pandavas.
Upon witnessing the massive destruction of the groups of horses and men in the battle, O great king, the Pandavas did not anticipate victory at that time.
Is Droṇa, the supreme master of weaponry, going to destroy us all like a blazing fire consuming the forest at winter's end?
No one in battle is capable of facing him, and Arjuna, who knows dharma, would never fight him.
Seeing the sons of Kunti terrified and afflicted by Drona's arrows, the wise Keshava, intent on their welfare, spoke to Arjuna.
This cannot be conquered in battle by any means, not even by Indra, the slayer of Vritra, who is the chief among chariot warriors.
O Pāṇḍava, focus on victory by abandoning duty, so that Rukmavāhana does not kill you all in battle.
My belief is that he will not fight once Ashvatthama is killed. Let a man announce to him that Ashvatthama has been slain in battle.
Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, did not approve of this, O king. However, all the others, including Yudhishthira, reluctantly agreed.
Then Bhima, the mighty-armed warrior, in his own army, struck down the great elephant named Ashwatthama with his mace, O king, thus indeed.
Bhimasena, feeling bashful, approached Drona in the battle and loudly declared, "Ashwatthama is killed."
Bhima falsely declared that Ashwatthama, the elephant, was killed, knowing it was a lie.
Upon hearing Bhimasena's words, Drona felt deeply disheartened, as if his body was submerged in water like sand.
Suspecting it to be false, and knowing the strength of his own son, he did not waver in courage upon hearing that he was killed.
Droṇa, upon regaining consciousness, quickly composed himself, contemplating his son who was unbearable to his foes.
He attacked Parshata with the intent to kill, showering him with thousands of sharp arrows, bringing death upon himself.
The twenty thousand warriors of the Pāñcālas, renowned as the best among men, surrounded him in the battle and showered arrows from every direction.
Then, in his anger, Droṇa, the formidable warrior, unleashed the Brahma weapon to annihilate the valiant heroes of the Pāñcālas.
Then Droṇa shone brightly as he slew all the Somakas and felled the heads of the Pāñcālas in the great battle. Likewise, the mace-like arms adorned with golden ornaments were also cut down.
The princes were being slain in the battle by Bhāradvāja and were scattered on the ground like trees that are blown by the wind.
O Bharata, the earth became impassable, covered in mud mixed with flesh and blood, as elephants and streams of horses fell.
After slaying twenty thousand chariot divisions of the Pāñcālas, Droṇa stood in the battlefield, blazing like a smokeless fire.
In his anger, the mighty Bharadvaja once again severed Vasudana's head from his body with an arrow.
Once more, after defeating five hundred Matsyas, six thousand Sṛñjayas, and ten thousand elephants, he went on to slaughter another ten thousand horses.
Seeing Drona standing ready to destroy the Kshatriyas, the sages, led by Agni, quickly approached.
Viśvāmitra, Jamadagni, Bhāradvāja, Gautama, Vasiṣṭha, Kaśyapa, and Atri were all desiring to reach Brahmaloka.
The sands, Prishnis, Gargas, Balakhilyas, Marichipas, Bhrigus, Angirases, and other subtle great sages are mentioned.
They all addressed Droṇa, who was shining in battle, saying that the battle was conducted unrighteously and it was time for his demise.
Drona, having laid down your weapons in battle and approached us as we stand here, you should not commit an act more cruel than this again.
This is not befitting for you, especially as a Brahmin, who is learned in the Vedas and its limbs, and who upholds truth and righteousness.
"O infallible one, lay down your weapon and remain on the eternal path. Your time is complete to dwell in the human world today."
Upon hearing their words and those of Bhimasena, and observing Dhrishtadyumna in the battle, he felt disheartened.
In distress and burning with anxiety, he asked Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, whether his own son was safe or had been killed.
Drona's firm intellect ensures that Arjuna will never speak falsehood, regardless of the temptation of sovereignty over the three worlds.
Therefore, he specifically asked him and no one else, as his hopes have been pinned on the Pandava since childhood.
Then, Govinda, distressed, spoke to Dharmarāja, knowing that Droṇa was making the earth devoid of the Pāṇḍavas, the lord of battles.
If Drona engages in battle for half a day with anger, I assure you, your army will face destruction.
You must protect us from Drona. Sometimes, falsehood may be considered greater than truth. Speaking falsehood for the sake of life is not tainted by falsehoods.
While those two were conversing in this manner, Bhimasena spoke these words. Upon hearing this, O great king, the strategy to kill the noble soul was revealed.
The elephant named Ashvatthama, renowned like the elephant of Indra, belongs to Indravarman of the Malava, attacking your army.
After bravely fighting in the battle, I informed Drona that Ashwatthama was dead, urging him to withdraw from the fight.
"Certainly, this person does not believe my words, O best of men. Therefore, you should respect the words of Govinda, as you desire victory."
O king, announce to Drona that the son of Sharadvati has been killed. You had said that this best of Brahmins would never fight. Indeed, in this world of men, you are known as a truthful ruler of people.
Upon hearing those words, inspired by Krishna's speech, and after contemplation, the great king began to speak.
Yudhishthira, overwhelmed by the fear of falsehood and attached to victory, said indistinctly, "O king, the elephant is indeed killed."
His chariot was positioned four inches above the ground as he had declared, with his horses touching the earth.
Upon hearing those words from Yudhishthira, Drona, the great warrior, was overwhelmed with sorrow for his son and lost hope in life.
The great Pandavas, feeling as if they were guilty, believed the sage's words and, upon hearing of their son's death, were deeply affected.
The subduer of enemies, bewildered and greatly agitated upon seeing Dhṛṣṭadyumna, was unable to fight as he did before, O king.
Upon seeing him in extreme agitation and with a mind afflicted by grief, Dhrishtadyumna, the son of the king of Panchala, rushed towards him.
The one who was obtained by King Drupada in the great sacrifice, after worship, for the purpose of destroying Drona, from the kindled fire.
He took up the victorious bow, which was terrible and resounded like thunder, with a strong string, ageless and divine, along with arrows that were like venomous snakes.
The son of Panchala fixed an arrow on his bow, resembling a serpent, with the intent to kill Drona, blazing like a great flame of fire.
His form appeared like an arrow within the circle of the bowstring, shining like the sun emerging from the clouds.
The soldiers, upon seeing the bow touched by Pārṣata and blazing like it was the end of times, believed that the end had come.
Bharadvaja, the mighty sage, upon seeing the gathering darkness, realized that the time for the body's transformation had come.
Then the teacher made an effort to stop him, but, O king, the great soul's weapons did not manifest.
In one sitting, his four days and one night passed. By a third of the day, the birds met their end.
He, having exhausted his arrows and afflicted by the grief for his son, faced the displeasure of various divine weapons.
Desiring to lay down his weapons, he was urged by the sage's words and inspired by energy, thus he fought with superhuman strength.
Then he took another divine bow of the Angiras and arrows that resembled the staff of Brahma and fought with Dhrishtadyumna.
Then, in his anger, he showered a great volley of arrows upon Dhṛṣṭadyumna and pierced him, unable to tolerate his presence.
Droṇa skillfully shattered the arrow into a hundred fragments with his arrows and brought down the flag, bow, and charioteer with his sharp arrows.
Dhṛṣṭadyumna, with a smile, took another bow and shot a sharp arrow, piercing him in the chest.
He, the great archer, was deeply pierced and appeared confused in the battle; his great bow was severed by a sharp-edged arrow.
O lord of men, the unassailable one, having cut all with his bent arrow and bows, also took up the mace and sword.
In his wrathful form, the mighty warrior, known as the scorcher of foes, struck Dhṛṣṭadyumna with nine deadly sharp arrows, intending to end his life.
The great warrior, with an immeasurable soul, mixed the horses of Dhṛṣṭadyumna's chariot with his own and invoked the Brahma weapon.
They, being of mixed colors, appeared splendid and swift like the wind, resembling pigeons and red in color, O best of the Bharatas.
Just as clouds with lightning thunder during the onset of rains, similarly, O great king, they shone mixed together on the battlefield.
The Brahmin, possessing an immeasurable soul, dismantled the bindings of the yoke, wheel, and chariot of Dhrishtadyumna effortlessly.
The hero, having lost his bow, chariot, horses, and charioteer, found himself in great peril but reached for his mace.
The great chariot warrior Drona, in his anger and true valor, killed Tamas with his sharp arrows as they were being hurled.
Upon witnessing her being struck down by Drona's arrows, the valiant warrior, like a tiger among men, seized the immaculate, shining sword adorned with a hundred moons.
In that situation, the son of Panchala believed it was right to kill the chief teacher, who was a great soul, as it was the appropriate time.
Then, standing in his own chariot, he proceeded with the intention of riding, raising his sword which was as radiant as a hundred moons.
Dhṛṣṭadyumna, the great charioteer, eager to undertake a challenging task, aimed to strike Bhāradvāja's chest during the battle.
He stood firmly in the middle of the yoke and in the yoke fastenings, while the army paid homage at the rear of the red ones.
Drona, standing in the yokes and even mounted on red horses, did not perceive any difference; it was as if it became a wonder to him.
Just as a hawk swiftly moves in pursuit of flesh, there was an attack aimed at Drona in the battle.
In his anger and valor, Drona used the power of his chariot to kill all the horses one by one, likening them to pigeons.
The slain horses of Dhṛṣṭadyumna fell on the ground. The red horses were released from the chariot harness, O lord of men.
Upon witnessing the horses being killed by the leading Brahmin, the son of Prishata, known as the best among warriors and a great chariot-warrior, could not endure it.
Without his chariot, the best among sword-bearers took up his sword and charged at Drona, O king, just as Garuda would swoop down upon a serpent.
O king, his form shone with the intent to kill Bharadvaja, just as the supreme form of Vishnu did in the slaying of Hiranyakashipu.
He traversed twenty-one different paths in various ways, wandering, confused, struck, jumping, spreading, and flowing.
The son of Prishata, turning around and withdrawing, held his sword and shield and demonstrated an intensified attack.
Then, with a thousand arrows, the Brahmin warrior struck down Shatachandra and, in the midst of battle, disarmed Dhrishtadyumna of his sword and shield.
These are the arrows called Vaitastika, known for their deadly precision, used exclusively by Drona in lesser battles, and not possessed by others.
The arrows belonging to Śāradvata, Pārtha, Droṇa's son, Karṇa, Pradyumna, Yuyudhāna, and Abhimanyu were present.
Then the teacher, with the intent to kill, took a firm and very sharp arrow, aiming it at his disciple who was like a son.
The best of the Śinis cut him with ten sharp arrows while your son and the great Karna were watching. Dhṛṣṭadyumna, who was seized by the chief of teachers, was released.
Satyaki, known for his true valor, was seen moving on the chariot paths between Drona and Karna, along with Kripa, O Bharata. The great souls Vishvaksena and Dhananjaya were observed by them.
Viṣvaksena and Dhanañjaya praised the descendant of Vṛṣṇi, saying 'well done, well done', as the divine weapons of all were slaying Acyuta in battle. Then, they approached the army.
Then Arjuna said to Krishna, "Look, O Keshava, Madhusudana is playing among the foremost of the best teachers."
Satyaki, known for his true prowess, brings me joy once more, along with the sons of Madri, Bhima, and King Yudhishthira.
Satyaki, trained and exalted, moves through the battlefield with ease, engaging with great charioteers and enhancing the glory of the Vṛṣṇi clan.
The perfected beings and soldiers, astonished by the invincible Sātvata in battle, praised him, exclaiming 'Well done, well done!' Warriors from both sides honored him with their actions.
