08.018
Sanjaya said:
Your son, who was eager to fight, was fleeing with the great army. Uluka quickly approached him and said, "Stop, stop."
Desirous of fighting, O king, he then struck Uluka with a sharp-edged feathered arrow, just as Indra would strike a mountain with a thunderbolt.
Uluka, in a fit of anger during the battle, struck down your son's bow with a razor-sharp arrow, an act executed by Karna.
With his eyes bloodshot, he discarded the broken bow and swiftly took up another, much larger bow, eager to continue the fight.
Then, O bull of Bharata, you pierced Shakuni with sixty arrows, struck the charioteer with three, and again pierced him.
Uluka, adorned with gold, shot twenty arrows at him and then, in anger, cut down his golden banner during the battle.
The great banner with a broken staff, shining brightly in gold, fell in front of the fighting princes.
Upon seeing the torn flag, filled with rage and eager to fight, he shot five arrows at Uluka, hitting him in the chest.
Uluka swiftly severed the charioteer's head with an oil-smeared arrow, O noble Bharata.
He killed four horses and struck him with five arrows. Severely wounded by the strong warrior, he retreated to another chariot.
After defeating him in battle, O king, Uluka quickly proceeded to attack the Panchalas and Srinjayas with sharp arrows.
O great king, Shatanika, your son Shrutakarma swiftly and calmly made Vyashvasu's charioteer ready in an instant.
Mighty Śatānīka, standing on the chariot with its horses slain, angrily hurled his mace at your son, O lord.
She turned the chariot, horses, and charioteer into ashes and fell swiftly to the ground as if tearing it apart, O Bhārata.
The two heroes, who were both from the Kuru dynasty and known for increasing fame, found themselves without chariots. Distressed by the ongoing battle, they retreated while observing each other.
Your son, though confused and curious, entered the chariot. Meanwhile, Śatānīka quickly approached Prativindhya's chariot.
Sutasoma, in his excitement, shot sharp arrows at Śakuni, but he remained unmoved, like a mountain stands firm against a flood of water.
Sutasoma, upon seeing his father's arch-enemy, showered him with countless arrows, O Bharata.
Shakuni, being a skilled warrior and conqueror of Kashi, quickly cut down those arrows with other feathered arrows in the battle.
In the battle, warding off those sharp arrows with his own, the very angry warrior struck Sutasoma with three arrows.
Your brother-in-law, the great hero, shattered the horses, banner, and charioteer into pieces with arrows. Then the people cried out in alarm.
O great one, with his horses killed and chariot destroyed, the archer took the best bow, stood on the ground, and released arrows with golden shafts sharpened with stones.
Then they covered your brother-in-law's chariot like swarms of moths, with swarms of arrows covering the great chariot.
Saubala, the illustrious one, remained unshaken even upon seeing the chariot approach, skillfully countering the arrows with his own volleys.
In that place, the warriors and celestial beings were delighted by witnessing the astonishing and unbelievable feat of Sutasoma. However, a foot soldier engaged in battle with the king who was standing on his chariot.
The king, with his sharp and swift arrows, completely destroyed the bow and quiver.
He, with his bow broken, raised his sword and roared in the battle. The chariot was colored like a cat's eye gem and blue lotus, and was made of ivory.
Then, the wise Sutasoma considered him, who was wandering with pure garments and splendor, to be like time itself.
He, the sword-bearer, swiftly moved in thousands of circles, possessing the training and strength of twenty-four great kings.
Saubala, with his might, launched his arrows and swiftly intercepted them with a supreme weapon as they came near.
Then, the enraged great king, Shakuni, son of Subala, known for vanquishing enemy warriors, sent forth arrows towards Sutasoma that were akin to venomous serpents.
He skillfully and powerfully cut them down with a sword, demonstrating agility in battle, shining with a splendor equal to Garuda's valor.
Then, O king, while moving in circles, he cut the brilliant sword with a very sharp razor.
He was suddenly cut and fell to the ground with the great sword. The sword was then held in the hand of the helpless against the enemy.
Sutasoma, the great warrior, realizing the situation, cut the sword, leaped six steps, and then threw what was left.
After cutting the bowstring in battle, the great soul fell swiftly to the ground, adorned with gold and diamonds. Then Sutasoma approached Shrutakirti's grand chariot.
Saubala, taking up his bow, fearlessly approached the Pandava army, striking down many groups of enemies.
There was a great sound among the Pandavas, O lord of the people, when they saw Saubala moving fearlessly in the battle.
The proud and mighty armies, equipped with weapons, were seen being driven by the noble Saubala.
O king, just as the king of gods crushed the army of demons, similarly, the son of Subala destroyed the Pandava army.
Kṛpa, O king, halted Dhṛṣṭadyumna in the battle, just as a lion would halt an arrogant elephant in the forest during a fight.
Pārṣata was restrained by the stronger Gautama, and he could not move from his position, O Bhārata.
Upon seeing Gautama's form approaching Dhṛṣṭadyumna's chariot, all beings were struck with terror, believing that destruction was imminent.
There, the disheartened charioteers and horsemen remarked that surely, at the death of Drona, the best among bipeds is enraged.
May Dhṛṣṭadyumna receive blessings today from Gautama, the greatly powerful and noble-minded Śāradvata, who is a master of divine weapons.
Even this entire army might be freed from great fear, but there is a concern that this brāhmaṇa might kill all of us who are assembled here.
The form that appears intensely like Yama signifies that today he will meet his end in battle, following the path of Bharadvaja.
The teacher, who is quick-handed and always victorious in battle, is armed, full of valor, and possesses anger.
Pārṣata is still seen today as intensely disheartened in battle. In this way, various words of your people are exchanged with others.
Then, the enraged Kṛpa, son of Śaradvat, sighed and attacked the motionless Pārṣata, targeting all his vital points.
He, being slain in the battle by the noble Gautama, is confused and does not recognize his duty amidst the great conflict.
Then the charioteer asked Pārṣata if he was alright, noting that such a calamity in battle had never been witnessed by him before.
By divine intervention, your arrows failed to hit the vital spots, even though they were aimed precisely at them by the chief of the twice-born.
I will turn the chariot back there as if it were the speed of a river from the ocean. I believe the Brahmin who destroyed your valor is invincible.
Dhṛṣṭadyumna then slowly spoke to the king, "Dear father, my mind is confused and sweat is forming on my body."
I am trembling and experiencing horripilation in my body, see indeed. Avoid the Brahmin in battle and slowly proceed to where Krishna is.
Today, having Arjuna or Bhimasena in the battle, O charioteer, I am firmly convinced that safety will be ensured.
Then, O great king, the charioteer quickly drove the horses to the place where Bhima, the great archer, was engaged in battle with your soldiers.
O lord, upon seeing Dhrishtadyumna's chariot rushing forward, scattering hundreds of arrows, Gautama followed at that time.
The subduer of enemies repeatedly blew the conch. Parshata fled like Shambara from the mighty Indra.
Hardikya repeatedly restrained Shikhandin in battle, who was like Bhisma's death, with a smile as if mocking.
Shikhandi approached the great chariot-warrior of the Hrishikas and pierced him near the collarbone with five sharp arrows.
Kritavarma, in his anger, pierced with sixty swift arrows and laughingly cut the bow with one, O king, the great chariot-warrior.
Then, the strong son of Drupada, taking another bow, angrily addressed Hārdikya, saying, "Stand, stand."
Then the king dispatched ninety well-sharpened arrows with golden feathers, which fell off the armor.
The strong warrior, noticing them as false and fallen on the ground, severed the bow with a very sharp arrow.
Then, in his anger, he shot eighty arrows at him, piercing his arms and chest, like a bull with a broken horn.
Kritavarma, though angry and wounded by arrows, took another bow and struck Shikhandi in the shoulder region with a multitude of excellent arrows, O lord.
Śikhaṇḍī stood in the shoulder region with arrows, shining brightly like a great tree with pure, outspread branches.
They both, having fiercely pierced each other and smeared with blood, appeared like bulls striking each other with their horns.
The two great warriors, intent on killing each other, maneuvered their chariots in countless circles on the battlefield.
Kritavarma, the great king, attacked Parshata in the battle with seventy sharp arrows that had golden feathers and were sharpened on stone.
Then Bhoja, the best among warriors, swiftly released his dreadful arrow in the battle, which was capable of ending life.
Struck by the opponent, the king quickly fell unconscious and, overcome with faintness, suddenly leaned on the flagstaff for support.
The charioteer carried away the best of charioteers from the battlefield, who was pierced by Hārdikya's arrows and was sighing repeatedly.
O lord, after the hero, the son of Drupada, was defeated, the Pandava army, being attacked from all directions, began to flee.
