08.057
Pancharatra and Core: Praise of Karna's valour by Arjuna, and vice versa, recounting the past events. Then Karna makes a strategy to attack Arjuna comprehensively with all major Kaurava warriors.
sañjaya uvāca॥
Sanjaya said:
arjunastu mahārāja kṛtvā sainyaṃ pṛthagvidham। sūtaputraṃ susaṃrabdhaṃ dṛṣṭvā caiva mahāraṇe ॥8-57-1॥
Arjuna, O great king, arranged his army in various formations and saw Karna, the son of a charioteer, very angry in the great battle.
śoṇitodāṃ mahīṃ kṛtvā māṃsamajjāsthi-vāhinīm। vāsudevamidaṃ vākyamabravītpuruṣarṣabha ॥8-57-2॥
O best of men, having turned the earth into a river of blood, flesh, marrow, and bones, this speech was addressed to Vasudeva.
eṣa ketū raṇe kṛṣṇa sūtaputrasya dṛśyate। bhīmasenādayaścaite yodhayanti mahārathān ॥ ete dravanti pāñcālāḥ karṇāttrastā janārdana ॥8-57-3॥
The banner of the son of a charioteer is visible in the battle, O Krishna. Bhimasena and others are engaging the great warriors. The Panchalas are retreating in fear of Karna, O Janardana.
eṣa duryodhano rājā śvetacchatreṇa bhāsvatā। karṇena bhagnānpāñcālāndrāvayanbahu śobhate ॥8-57-4॥
King Duryodhana, under the shining white umbrella, is prominently driving away the defeated Panchalas with Karna's help.
kṛpaśca kṛtavarmā ca drauṇiścaiva mahābalaḥ। ete rakṣanti rājānaṃ sūtaputreṇa rakṣitāḥ ॥ avadhyamānāste'smābhirghātayiṣyanti somakān ॥8-57-5॥
Kṛpa, Kṛtavarmā, and the mighty son of Droṇa are protecting the king, who is safeguarded by the charioteer's son. They are invincible to us and will annihilate the Somakas.
eṣa śalyo rathopasthe raśmisañcārakovidaḥ। sūtaputrarathaṃ kṛṣṇa vāhayanbahu śobhate ॥8-57-6॥
Śalya, known for his expertise in handling the reins, is impressively driving the chariot of the charioteer's son, Kṛṣṇa, and stands out magnificently on the chariot seat.
tatra me buddhirutpannā vāhayātra mahāratham। nāhatvā samare karṇaṃ nivartiṣye kathaṃcana ॥8-57-7॥
My resolve is firm to drive the great chariot there. I will not return without slaying Karṇa in battle, no matter what.
rādheyo'pyanyathā pārthānsṛñjayāṃśca mahārathān। niḥśeṣānsamare kuryātpaśyatornau janārdana ॥8-57-8॥
Karna, if given a chance, would annihilate the Pandavas, the Srinjayas, and the great warriors in battle while we stand by, O Janardana.
tataḥ prāyādrathenāśu keśavastava vāhinīm। karṇaṃ prati maheṣvāsaṃ dvairathe savyasācinā ॥8-57-9॥
Then Keśava swiftly drove the chariot towards your army, heading towards Karna, the great archer, for a duel with Savyasācin.
prayātaśca mahābāhuḥ pāṇḍavānujñayā hariḥ। āśvāsayanrathenaiva pāṇḍusainyāni sarvaśaḥ ॥8-57-10॥
Hari, the mighty-armed, departed with the Pandavas' permission, offering comfort to all the Pandava armies as he left by chariot.
rathaghoṣaḥ sa saṅgrāme pāṇḍaveyasya sambabhau। vāsavāśanitulyasya mahaughasyeva māriṣa ॥8-57-11॥
In the battle, the sound of the Pandava's chariot echoed like the thunder of Indra, resembling a mighty flood, O great one.
mahatā rathaghoṣeṇa pāṇḍavaḥ satyavikramaḥ। abhyayādaprameyātmā vijayastava vāhinīm ॥8-57-12॥
Arjuna, the son of Pandu, renowned for his true prowess and immeasurable soul, approached your army with the great sound of chariots.
tamāyāntaṃ samīkṣyaiva śvetāśvaṃ kṛṣṇasārathim। madrarājo'bravītkarṇaṃ ketuṃ dṛṣṭvā mahātmanaḥ ॥8-57-13॥
The king of Madra, upon seeing him approach with white horses and Krishna as the charioteer, spoke to Karna after noticing the banner of the great soul.
ayaṁ sa ratha āyāti śvetāśvaḥ kṛṣṇasārathiḥ। nighnannamitrānsamare yaṁ karṇa paripṛcchasi ॥8-57-14॥
This is the chariot that comes with white horses and Krishna as the charioteer, slaying enemies in battle, about whom you inquire, Karna.
eṣa tiṣṭhati kaunteyaḥ saṃspṛśan gāṇḍivaṃ dhanuḥ। taṃ haniṣyasi ced adya tan naḥ śreyo bhaviṣyati ॥8-57-15॥
The son of Kunti is standing there, holding the Gandiva bow. If you kill him today, it will be beneficial for us.
eṣā vidīryate senā dhārtarāṣṭrī samantataḥ। arjunasya bhayāttūrṇaṃ nighnataḥ śātravānbahūn ॥8-57-16॥
The army of Dhritarashtra's sons is being scattered in all directions due to the fear of Arjuna, who is swiftly slaying many enemies.
varjayansarvasainyāni tvarate hi dhanañjayaḥ। tvadarthamiti manye'haṃ yathāsyodīryate vapuḥ ॥8-57-17॥
Arjuna, avoiding all the armies, hastens indeed. I believe his form is manifested for your sake, as it is revealed.
na hyavasthāpyate pārtho yuyutsuḥ kenacitsaha। tvāmṛte krodhadīpto hi pīḍyamāne vṛkodare ॥8-57-18॥
Arjuna cannot be restrained by anyone when he is eager to fight, except by you. Indeed, his anger is inflamed when Bhima is being oppressed.
virathaṃ dharmarājaṃ ca dṛṣṭvā sudṛḍhavikṣatam। śikhaṇḍinaṃ sātyakiṃ ca dhṛṣṭadyumnaṃ ca pārṣatam ॥8-57-19॥
Seeing Dharmaraja without his chariot and severely wounded, Shikhandin, Satyaki, and Dhrishtadyumna, the son of Prishata, were observed.
drau̇padeyānyudhāmanyumuttamaujasameva ca। nakulaṁ sahadevaṁ ca bhrātarau dvau samīkṣya ca ॥8-57-20॥
The sons of Draupadi, along with Udhāmanyu and Uttamaujas, and also Nakula and Sahadeva, the two brothers, observed.
sahasaikarathaḥ pārthastvāmabhyeti parantapa। krodharaktekṣaṇaḥ kruddho jighāṃsuḥ sarvadhanvinām ॥8-57-21॥
Suddenly, Arjuna, the son of Pritha, approaches you on a single chariot, O scorcher of foes, with eyes red with anger, enraged, and intent on killing all archers.
tvarito'bhipatatyasmāṁstyaktvā sainyāniasaṁśayam। tvaṁ karṇa pratiyāhyenaṁ nāstyaṇyo hi dhanurdharaḥ ॥8-57-22॥
Quickly, he approaches us, leaving the armies behind, undoubtedly. You, Karna, must counter him, for there is indeed no other archer like you.
na taṃ paśyāmi loke'smiṃstvattopyanyaṃ dhanurdharam। arjunaṃ samare kruddhaṃ yo velāmiva dhārayet ॥8-57-23॥
I do not see anyone else in this world, apart from you, who can withstand the wrath of Arjuna in battle, as one would hold back a flood.
na cāsya rakṣāṃ paśyāmi pṛṣṭhato na ca pārśvataḥ। eka evābhiyāti tvāṃ paśya sāphalyamātmanaḥ ॥8-57-24॥
I do not see any protection for him from behind or beside. Only one person approaches you; see the success of his self.
tvaṁ hi kṛṣṇau raṇe śaktaḥ saṁsādhayitumāhave। tavaiṣa bhāro rādheya pratyudyāhi dhanañjayam ॥8-57-25॥
You, O Kṛṣṇa, are indeed capable in battle to accomplish the task in combat. This is your responsibility, O son of Radha, confront Arjuna.
tvaṁ kṛto hyeva bhīṣmeṇa droṇadrauṇikṛpairapi। savyasācipratirathastaṁ nivartaya pāṇḍavam ॥8-57-26॥
You have been acknowledged as an equal to Arjuna by Bhishma, Drona, Drona's son, and Kripa. Now, turn back that Pandava.
lelihānaṃ yathā sarpaṃ garjantamṛṣabhaṃ yathā। layasthitaṃ yathā vyāghraṃ jahi karṇa dhanañjayam ॥8-57-27॥
"O Dhananjaya, conquer Karna who is like a snake licking its prey, like a bull roaring, and like a tiger hidden in ambush."
ete dravanti samare dhārtarāṣṭrā mahārathāḥ। arjunasya bhayāttūrṇaṃ nirapekṣā janādhipāḥ ॥8-57-28॥
The great warriors, sons of Dhritarashtra, flee the battlefield in haste, driven by fear of Arjuna, showing indifference as kings.
dravatām atha teṣāṃ tu yudhi nānyo'sti mānavaḥ। bhayahā yo bhaved vīra tvāmṛte sūtanandana ॥8-57-29॥
In the battlefield, among those who are fleeing, there is no other man who can remove fear, O hero, except you, O son of Suta.
ete tvāṃ kuravaḥ sarve dvīpamāsādya saṃyuge। viṣṭhitāḥ puruṣavyāghra tvattaḥ śaraṇakāṅkṣiṇaḥ ॥8-57-30॥
These Kurus, having reached the island, stand ready in battle, O tiger among men, seeking your protection.
vaidehāmbṣṭhakāmbojāstathā nagnajitastvayā। gāndhārāśca yayā dhṛtyā jitāḥ saṅkhye sudurjayāḥ ॥8-57-31॥
The people of Videha, Ambashthas, Kambojas, and Nagnajit were conquered by you. Even the Gandharas, known for being very difficult to conquer, were defeated by your firmness in battle.
tāṃ dhṛtiṃ kuru rādheya tataḥ pratyehi pāṇḍavam। vāsudevaṃ ca vārṣṇeyaṃ prīyamāṇaṃ kirīṭinā ॥8-57-32॥
"Gather your courage, Radheya, and then return to the Pandavas. Vasudeva and Varshneya are pleased with Kiritin."
karṇa uvāca॥
Karna said:
prakṛtistho hi me śalya idānīṃ saṃmatastathā। pratibhāsi mahābāho vibhīścaiva dhanañjayāt ॥8-57-33॥
Śalya, who is in his natural state, is now approved by me. O mighty-armed one, you appear fearless indeed, even more so than Dhananjaya.
paśya bāhvobalaṃ me'dya śikṣitasya ca paśya me। eko'dya nihaniṣyāmi pāṇḍavānāṃ mahācamūm ॥8-57-34॥
"Behold the strength of my arms today, and witness my might. Today, I alone shall annihilate the great army of the Pandavas."
kṛṣṇau ca puruṣavyāghrau tacca satyaṃ bravīmi te। nāhatvā yudhi tau vīrāvapayāsye kathañcana ॥8-57-35॥
I assure you, Krishna and Arjuna, who are like tigers among men, that I will not retreat without defeating those two heroes in battle.
svapsye vā nihatastābhyāmasatyo hi raṇe jayaḥ। kṛtārtho vā bhaviṣyāmi hatvā tāvatha vā hataḥ ॥8-57-36॥
"I will either sleep or be killed by them, as victory in battle is uncertain. Alternatively, I will achieve success by killing them, or I will be killed."
naitādṛśo jātu babhūva loke; rathottamo yāvadanuśrutaṃ naḥ। tamīdṛśaṃ pratiyotsyāmi pārthaṃ; mahāhave paśya ca pauruṣaṃ me ॥8-57-37॥
"Such a chariot has never existed in the world as long as we have heard. I will oppose such an Arjuna in the great battle; see my valor."
rathe caratyeṣa rathapravīraḥ; śīghrairhayaiḥ kauravarājaputraḥ। sa vādya māṃ neṣyati kṛcchrameta; tkarṇasyāntādetadantāḥ stha sarve ॥8-57-38॥
The chariot hero, son of the Kuru king, rides swiftly with horses. Today, he will take me with difficulty from the end of Karna; all these ends are here.
asvedinau rājamputrasya hastā; vavepinau jātakiṇau bṛhantau। dṛḍhāyudhaḥ kṛtimānkṣiprahasto; na pāṇḍaveyena samo'sti yodhaḥ ॥8-57-39॥
The prince's hands, though large and trembling with hair standing on end, do not sweat. He is a skillful and quick-handed warrior with a firm weapon, unmatched by any warrior, including the son of Pandu.
gṛhṇātyanekānapi kaṅkapatrā; nekaṃ yathā tānkṣitipānpramathya। te krośamātraṃ nipatantyamoghāḥ; kastena yodho'sti samaḥ pṛthivyām ॥8-57-40॥
He wields numerous arrows, effortlessly defeating those kings. They fall within a cry's distance, never failing. Who on earth is a warrior equal to him?
atoṣayatpāṇḍaveyo hutāśaṁ; kṛṣṇadvitīyo'tirathastarasvī। lebhe cakraṁ yatra kṛṣṇo mahātmā; dhanurgāṇḍīvaṁ pāṇḍavaḥ savyasācī ॥8-57-41॥
The son of Pandu, with Krishna by his side, satisfied the fire. The great and swift charioteer obtained the discus where the noble Krishna was present, and the ambidextrous Pandava acquired the Gandiva bow.
śvetāśvayuktaṃ ca sughoṣamagryaṃ; rathaṃ mahābāhuradīnasattvaḥ। maheṣudhī cākṣayau divyarūpau; śastrāṇi divyāni ca havyavāhāt ॥8-57-42॥
The mighty-armed hero, with an undaunted spirit, rode the excellent Sughosha chariot yoked with white horses. He possessed great arrows and inexhaustible divine weapons from the fire god.
tathendraloke nijaghāna daityā; nasaṅkhyeyānkālakeyāṃśca sarvān। lebhe śaṅkhaṃ devadattaṃ sma tatra; ko nāma tenābhyadhikaḥ pṛthivyām ॥8-57-43॥
In the realm of Indra, he slew innumerable demons, including all the Kālakeya demons, and acquired the conch named Devadatta. Who on earth is known to be superior to him?
mahādevaṁ toṣayāmāsa caiva; sākṣātsuyuddhena mahānubhāvaḥ। lebhe tataḥ pāśupataṁ sughoraṁ; trailokyasaṁhārakaraṁ mahāstram ॥8-57-44॥
The great soul, having directly pleased Lord Shiva through a noble battle, obtained the fearsome Pashupata weapon, which has the power to destroy the three worlds.
pṛthakpṛthaglokapālāḥ sametā; dadurhyastrāṇyaprameyāṇi yasya। yaistāñjaghānāśu raṇe nṛsiṃhā; ns kālakhañjānasurānsametān ॥8-57-45॥
The guardians of the world, each individually, came together and provided him with immeasurable weapons. With these, the heroes swiftly defeated the assembled demons in battle.
tathā virāṭasya pure sametā; nsarvānasmānekarathena jitvā। jahāra tadgodhanamājimadhye; vastrāṇi cādatta mahārathebhyaḥ ॥8-57-46॥
In the city of Virata, after gathering, he conquered all of us with a single chariot, took away the cattle during the battle, and distributed garments to the great charioteers.
tamīdṛśaṃ vīryaguṇopapannaṃ; kṛṣṇadvitīyaṃ varaye raṇāya। anantavīryeṇa ca keśavena; nārāyaṇenāpratimena guptam ॥8-57-47॥
I choose him, who is endowed with heroic qualities and is like a second Krishna, for the battle; protected by the endless valor of Keshava and the incomparable Narayana.
varṣāyutairyasya guṇā na śakyā; vaktuṃ sametairapi sarvalokaiḥ। mahātmanaḥ śaṅkhacakrāsipāṇe; rviṣṇorjiṣṇorvasudevātmajasya ॥
The qualities of the great soul, Vishnu, who holds the conch, discus, and sword, and is the son of Vasudeva, cannot be described even by all the worlds together.
ubhau hi śūrau kṛtinau dṛḍhāstrau; mahārathau saṃhananopapannau। etādṛśau phalgunavāsudevau; ko'nyaḥ pratīyānmadṛte nu śalya ॥8-57-49॥
Both Arjuna and Krishna are great heroes, skilled and firm in their weaponry, and are great charioteers endowed with strength. Who else, except me, Shalya, can face such warriors?
etāvahaṃ yudhi vā pātayiṣye; māṃ vā kṛṣṇau nihaniṣyato'dya। iti bruvañśalyamamitrahantā; karṇo raṇe megha ivonnanāda ॥8-57-50॥
Karna, the slayer of foes, declared to Shalya that he would either bring down his enemies in battle or be slain by Krishna and Arjuna today. With this declaration, he roared like a cloud in the battlefield.
abhyetya putreṇa tavābhinanditaḥ; sametya covāca kurupravīrān। kṛpaṃ ca bhojaṃ ca mahābhujāvubhau; tathaiva gāndhāranṛpaṃ sahānujam ॥ guroḥ sutaṃ cāvarajaṃ tathātmanaḥ; padātino'tha dvipasādino'nyān ॥8-57-51॥
Having approached and been greeted by your son, he assembled and addressed the heroes of the Kuru dynasty: Kṛpa and Bhoja, both mighty-armed, as well as the king of Gandhara with his younger brother, the son of the teacher and his younger brother, and also himself, the infantry, then the elephant riders and others.
nirundhatābhidravatācyutārjunau; śrameṇa saṃyojayatāśu sarvataḥ। yathā bhavadbhirbhṛśavikṣatāvubhau; sukhena hanyāmahamadya bhūmipāḥ ॥8-57-52॥
"Block and attack Acyuta and Arjuna with effort from all sides quickly, so that both of them, being severely wounded by you, can be easily killed by me today, O kings."
tatheti coktvā tvaritāḥ sma te'rjunaṃ; jighāṃsavo vīratamāḥ samabhyayuḥ। nadīnadānbhūrījalo mahārṇavo; yathā tathā tānsamare'rjuno'grasat ॥8-57-53॥
Having spoken thus, the bravest warriors quickly approached Arjuna with the intent to kill. Just as a great ocean swallows rivers and streams, so did Arjuna consume them in battle.
na saṁdadhāno na tathā śarottamā; napramuñcamāno ripubhiḥ pradṛśyate। dhanañjayastasya śaraiśca dāritā; hatāśca peturnaravājikuñjarāḥ ॥8-57-54॥
Arjuna, neither aiming nor releasing his best arrows, was not seen by the enemies. His arrows pierced and killed, causing men, horses, and elephants to fall.
śarārciṣaṃ gāṇḍivacārumaṇḍalaṃ; yugāntasūryapratimānatejasam। na kauravāḥ śekurudīkṣituṃ jayaṃ; yathā raviṃ vyādhitacakṣuṣo janāḥ ॥8-57-55॥
The Kauravas could not gaze upon the victory, which was as radiant as the sun at the end of the age, with its arrows like flames and the beautiful circle of the Gandiva bow, just as people with diseased eyes cannot look at the sun.
tam abhyadhāvad visṛjañ śarān kṛpaḥ; tathaiva bhojas tava cātmajaḥ svayam। jighāṃsubhiḥ tān kuśalaiḥ śarottamān mahāhave sañjavitān prayatnataḥ॥ śaraiḥ praciccheda ca pāṇḍavas tvaran parābhinad vakṣasi ca tribhis tribhiḥ॥ 8-57-56॥
Kṛpa, along with Bhoja and your son, charged towards him, releasing arrows with the intent to kill. They used skillful and excellent arrows swiftly and with great effort in the battle. Meanwhile, Pāṇḍava quickly cut off their attack with his arrows and pierced their chests with three arrows each.
sa gāṇḍivābhyāyatapūrṇamaṇḍala; stapanripūnarjunabhāskaro babhau। śarograraśmiḥ śuciśukramadhyago; yathaiva sūryaḥ pariveṣagastathā ॥8-57-57॥
Arjuna, wielding the Gandiva bow, shone brilliantly like the sun, scorching his enemies. His arrows, fierce and bright, radiated purity, much like the sun surrounded by its rays.
athāgryabāṇairdśabhirdhanañjayaṃ; parābhinaaddroṇasuto'cyutaṃ tribhiḥ। caturbhiraśvāṃścaturaḥ kapiṃ tathā; śaraiḥ sa nārācavarairavākirat ॥8-57-58॥
Then, the son of Drona, using ten excellent arrows, pierced Dhananjaya, and with three arrows, he struck Acyuta. He also hit the four horses and the monkey with four arrows, showering them with excellent iron arrows.
tathā tu tattatsphuradāttakārmukaṃ; tribhiḥ śarairyantṛśiraḥ kṣureṇa। hayāṃścaturbhiścaturastribhirdhvajaṃ; dhanañjayo drauṇirathānnyapātayat ॥8-57-59॥
Thus, Dhananjaya skillfully used his shining bow to shoot three arrows, cutting off the charioteer's head with a razor-sharp arrow, bringing down the horses with four arrows, and the banner with three, thereby felling Drauni's chariots.
sa roṣapūrṇo'śanivajrahāṭakai; ralaṅkṛtaṃ takṣakabhogavarcasam। subandhanaṃ kārmukamanyadādade; yathā mahāhipravaraṃ girestathā ॥8-57-60॥
In his fury, he seized another sturdy bow, which was as formidable as the great serpent chief of the mountain, and was adorned with the brilliance of Takshaka's hood and the strength of a thunderbolt.
svamāyudhaṃ copavikīrya bhūtale; dhanuśca kṛtvā saguṇaṃ guṇādhikaḥ। samānayānāvajitau narottamau; śarottamairdrauṇiravidhyadantikāt ॥8-57-61॥
Drona's son, scattering his own weapon on the ground and stringing his bow, which was excellent in qualities, pierced the best of men, who were equally matched and conquered, with excellent arrows from a distance.
kṛpaśca bhojaśca tathātmajaśca te; tamonudaṃ vāridharā ivāpatan। kṛpasya pārthaḥ saśaraṃ śarāsanaṃ; hayāndhvajaṃ sārathimeva patribhiḥ ॥8-57-62॥
Kṛpa, Bhoja, and their son descended like clouds that dispel darkness. Arjuna, with his bow and arrows, targeted Kṛpa's horses, flag, and charioteer with his arrows.
śaraiḥ praciccheda tavātmajasya; dhvajaṃ dhanuśca pracakarta nardataḥ। jaghāna cāśvānkṛtavarmaṇaḥ śubhā; ndhvajaṃ ca ciccheda tataḥ pratāpavān ॥8-57-63॥
With his arrows, he severed the flag of your son and broke the bow of the one who was roaring. He also killed the splendid horses of Kṛtavarman and then, the mighty warrior cut down the flag.
savājisūteṣvasanānsaketana; ñjaghāna nāgāśvarathāṃstvaraṃśca saḥ. tataḥ prakīrṇaṃ sumahadbalaṃ tava; pradāritaṃ seturivāmbhasā yathā ॥ tato'rjunasyaśu rathena keśava; ścakāra śatrūnapasavyamāturān ॥8-57-64॥
With horses, charioteers, arrows, and banners, he swiftly struck elephants, horses, and chariots. Then your great army was scattered and torn apart like a bridge by water. Then Keshava, quickly maneuvering Arjuna's chariot, caused the distressed enemies to turn to the left.
tataḥ prayāntaṃ tvaritaṃ dhanañjayaṃ; śatakratuṃ vṛtranijaghnuṣaṃ yathā। samanvadhāvanpunarucchritairdvajai; rathaiḥ suyuktairapare yuyutsavaḥ ॥8-57-65॥
Then, swift Dhananjaya departed, like Indra who slew Vritra. Again, others, eager for battle, followed with raised flags and well-yoked chariots.
athābhisṛtya prativārya tānarī; ndhanaṅjayasyābhi rathaṃ mahārathāḥ. śikhaṇḍiśaineyayamāḥ śitaiḥ śarai; rvidārayanto vyanadansubhairavam ॥8-57-66॥
Then, the great warriors, having approached and obstructed the enemies, moved towards Dhananjaya's chariot. Shikhandi, the son of Sini, and Yama's forces, tore apart the enemies with sharp arrows, roaring terribly.
tato'bhijaghnuḥ kupitāḥ parasparaṁ; śaraistadāñjogatibhiḥ sutejanaiḥ। kurupravīrāḥ saha sṛñjayairyathā; surāḥ purā devavarairayodhayana ॥8-57-67॥
Then, in their anger, the Kuru heroes, alongside the Sṛñjayas, attacked each other with swift and well-crafted arrows, just as the gods once battled with the supreme deities in ancient times.
jayepsavaḥ svargamanāya cotsukāḥ; patanti nāgāśvarathāḥ parantapa। jagarjuruccairbalavacca vivyadhuḥ; śaraiḥ sumuktairitaretaraṃ pṛthak ॥8-57-68॥
Desiring victory and eager to ascend to heaven, the elephants, horses, and chariots fall, O Parantapa. They roared loudly and powerfully, and pierced each other with well-aimed arrows.
śarāndhakāre tu mahātmabhiḥ kṛte; mahāmṛdhe yodhavaraiḥ parasparam। babhurdaśāśā na divaṃ ca pārthiva; prabhā ca sūryasya tamovṛtābhavat ॥8-57-69॥
In the great battle, the best of warriors engaged with each other, creating darkness with their arrows. The ten directions, the sky, and the earthly light, including the sun's light, were all enveloped in darkness.
