08.007
Dhritarashtra said:
Upon receiving the position of general, Karṇa, the son of Vikartana, was addressed by the king himself with affectionate words, as if he were a brother.
Sanjaya, tell me what the wise one did after ordering the army's strategy when the sun had risen.
Sanjaya said:
Upon understanding Karna's opinion, your son, O esteemed Bharata, commanded the arrangements to be made, heralded by joyous music.
During the great night, O Māriṣa, a great sound of union suddenly appeared for your son.
O lord of the people, the elephants, chariots, and troops are being prepared, and the infantry and horses are being equipped.
The warriors, swift and shouting together, created a tumultuous and very great sound that reached the sky at that time.
Then, with a white flag and a horse resembling the young sun, and a golden-backed bow, along with a banner of an elephant's girth.
Equipped with a quiver full of arrows, armor, a chariot, a hundred-killer, bells, a spear, a trident, and a club, he stood ready for battle.
The son of a charioteer, shining with the brilliance of the pure sun, appeared equipped with a bow and a chariot adorned with a grand flag.
Dear, the lotus is being blown and adorned with a golden net. A great bow is being wielded, adorned with gold.
Upon seeing Karna, the great archer and the best among charioteers, standing on his chariot like the rising sun dispelling darkness in thousands of ways.
O great one, the Kauravas did not consider Bhishma's or Drona's calamity, nor that of others, as significant there, tiger among men.
Then, Karna, urging the warriors with the sound of a conch, drove out the Kaurava army, O great one.
The great archer Karna, known for tormenting his enemies, arranged his troops in a crocodile-like formation and advanced towards the Pandavas, eager for victory.
In the mouth of the crocodile, Karna is positioned, O king; in the eyes are Shakuni, the brave Uluka, and the great warrior.
The son of Droṇa, however, was on the head and neck of all brothers. In the middle was King Duryodhana, surrounded by a great force.
On the left side, O King, Kritavarma stands firm, allied with the forces of Narayana and the cowherds, displaying arrogance in battle.
In the southern quarter, O king, Gautama, known for his true valor, was surrounded by the Trigartas, the great archers, and the southerners.
Without support, Śalya, who is on the left, is stationed there with a great army that has arisen from the Madra country.
In the southern direction, O great king, Suṣeṇa and Satyasaṅgara were positioned, surrounded by thousands of chariots and hundreds of elephants.
At the rear were the great heroes and brothers, the princes. Then Citrasena and Citra were surrounded by a great army.
Then, O King, after Karna, the best among men, had departed, Yudhishthira looked at Dhananjaya and spoke these words.
"Look, O son of Pritha, at the great army of the son of Dhritarashtra, arranged by Karna and protected by heroic warriors and great charioteers in the battle."
O mighty-armed one, this great army of Dhritarashtra's sons, with its slain heroes, is indeed considered by me to be as insignificant as grass.
Here indeed stands one great archer, the son of a charioteer, who is invincible among the best of charioteers, accompanied by gods, demons, Gandharvas, Kinnaras, great serpents, and all beings of the three worlds, both moving and non-moving.
"Having slain him today, O mighty-armed Arjuna, victory shall be yours. My twelve-year-old Śalya will be uplifted. Therefore, O mighty-armed one, arrange the formation as you wish."
Upon hearing his brother's words, Pāṇḍava Śvetavāhana arranged his forces in a crescent formation to counter the opposing army.
On the left side stood Bhimasena, O king, while on the right was the mighty archer Dhrishtadyumna.
In the middle of the formation was Arjuna, the son of Pandu, with Krishna as his charioteer. Behind them were Nakul, Sahadev, and Yudhishthira.
Yudhāmanyu and Uttamaujas, the sons of Draupadi, remained with Arjuna in the battle, under his protection.
The remaining kings and heroes were positioned in the formation according to their disposition, enthusiasm, and strength, O Bhārata.
In this way, O Bharata, the Pandavas and your warriors, the great archers, organized the grand formation and focused their minds solely on the battle.
Upon seeing your army arranged by Karna, the son of a charioteer, in the battle, your son believed that the Pāṇḍavas and their followers were defeated.
In the same way, upon seeing the Pandava army arranged, Yudhishthira thought that the sons of Dhritarashtra, including Karna, were indeed slain, O lord of people.
Then, suddenly, conch shells, drums, small drums, kettledrums, and cow-horns were sounded all around, creating a resounding noise.
O king, the great sounds of both armies echoed, and the lion's roar emerged from the heroes who were eager for victory.
O ruler of men, the air was filled with the neighing of horses, the trumpeting of elephants, and the fierce clamor of chariot wheels.
O best of the Bharatas, no one is aware of Drona's demise upon seeing Karna, the great archer, positioned at the forefront of the formation.
Both armies, filled with great courage and joyful warriors, stood ready to fight, O king, prepared to easily kill each other.
There, O King, Karna and Pandava, very eager and having seen each other, stood shining in the midst of the army.
As the armies danced, they came together, each with their wings and allies, ready for battle.
Then the battle began among men, elephants, horses, and charioteers, O great king, as they fiercely struck each other.
