09.007
Core and Pancharatra: The Kauravas make a strategy to attack the Pandavas together, and not to face them one-on-one. The Kaurava formation has Shalya leading, Kritavarma protecting the left, Kripa protecting the right, Ashwatthama at the rear, and Duryodhana at the centre. Eleven thousand chariots on the Kaurava side, and six thousand chariots on the Pandavas side remained.

Sanjaya said:

As the night ended, King Duryodhana instructed all his great warriors to get ready for battle.

Upon understanding the king's decision, the army got ready. They swiftly harnessed the chariots, while others moved around accordingly.

Elephants were prepared and chariots were yoked. Thousands of horses equipped with coverings were arranged by others.

"O lord of the people, the sound of musical instruments arose to awaken the warriors and the armies. Let it be proclaimed."

Then, O Bharata, all the remaining forces of the army, fully equipped, saw death as they retreated.

The great warriors appointed Shalya as the commander and organized the entire army into divisions.

Then all your soldiers gathered together with your son, along with Kṛpa, Kṛtavarmā, Droṇa's son, Śalya, and Saubala.

The other remaining kings then agreed that the Pandavas should not be fought by any one of them in any manner.

The one who fights alone against the Pandavas or abandons a fighting ally would incur five major and minor sins. We must fight together, protecting each other.

Thus, all the great warriors, having come to an agreement, placed the Madra king at the forefront and swiftly advanced towards the enemies.

In the same manner, O King, the Pandavas organized their forces in the great battle and advanced towards the Kauravas, prepared to engage in combat from every direction.

O best of the Bharatas, that army roared like an agitated ocean, resembling a turbulent sea with its chariots and elephants lifted high.

Dhritarashtra said:

I have heard about the fall of Drona, Bhishma, and Radheya. Please tell me again about the fall of Shalya and then about my son.

O Sanjaya, how did Śalya get killed in the battle by Dharmaraja? And how did my son Duryodhana, the mighty-armed, fall by Bhima?

Sanjaya said:

O king, listen to my account of the battle, steadfastly, as I describe the destruction of human bodies, chariots, elephants, and horses.

O king, at that time, your sons' hope became strong. With Bhishma, Drona, and Karna fallen, Shalya will destroy all the sons of Pandu in battle, O lord.

After placing that hope in his heart and consoling himself, O Bharata, your son relied on the Madra king, the great chariot warrior, in battle, and then considered himself protected.

When Karna was killed, the sons of Pritha roared like lions. At that moment, O king, the Dhartarashtras were overcome with great fear.

The glorious king of Madra, after consoling them, arranged the all-auspicious and prosperous formation, O great king.

The valiant king of Madra advanced into battle against the Pandavas, wielding a remarkable and powerful bow with great speed.

The great warrior mounted the best chariot with Sindhu horses, and Sita, standing on the chariot, adorned it, O great king.

The hero, surrounded by the chariot and known as the tormentor of enemies, stood bravely, O great king, dispelling the fear of your sons.

During the march, the king of Madra took the lead of the formation, adorned with the Madras and accompanied by the heroic and invincible sons of Karna.

On the left, Kritavarma was surrounded by the Trigartas, while Gautama was on the right side with the Shakas and the Yavanas.

Ashwatthama was at the rear, encircled by the Kambojas, while Duryodhana was in the center, safeguarded by the foremost of the Kurus.

Saubala, surrounded by the great cavalry, departed with all his army, along with Kaitavya, the great chariot-warrior.

The Pandavas, known for their exceptional archery skills and ability to subdue enemies, strategically arranged their forces and launched an attack on your army in three divisions, O great king.

Dhṛṣṭadyumna, Śikhaṇḍī, and Sātyaki, the great chariot-warrior, swiftly attacked Śalya's forces in the battle.

Then King Yudhishthira, with his army surrounding him, charged at Shalya with the intent to kill, O esteemed one among the Bharatas.

Arjuna, the great archer and destroyer of enemy multitudes, swiftly charged towards the groups of the Saṃśaptakas, targeting Hārdikya.

Gautama, Bhimasena, and the Somakas, all great warriors, attacked the enemies in battle, O king, with the intent to kill.

The sons of Madri, Shakuni and Uluka, the great warriors, stood ready for battle with their armies and forces.

In the same manner, your warriors, in their thousands, furiously charged at the Pandavas on the battlefield, wielding a variety of weapons.

Dhritarashtra said:

With the great warriors Bhishma, Drona, and Karna slain, and only a few of the Kurus and Pandavas remaining, the battle continued.

O Sanjaya, among the eager sons of Pritha and the valiant, what strength remained of my people and the others?

Sanjaya said:

O King, as we and others are arrayed for battle, understand from me what strength remained in the battle.

O best of the Bharatas, there are eleven thousand chariots, ten thousand elephants, and seven hundred more.

O best of the Bharatas, your strength consisted of two hundred thousand horses and three crores of human beings.

O Bharata, there are six thousand chariots, six thousand elephants, ten thousand horses, and a crore of infantry.

The strength of the Pandavas was what remained in the battle. Indeed, they arrived for the battle, O best of the Bharatas.

Thus, O King, following the counsel of the King of Madra, we stand ready to advance towards the Pandavas, eager for victory and filled with enthusiasm.

In the same way, the Pandavas, known as heroes in battle, having conquered the Kashi, arrived along with the glorious Panchalas, who are like tigers among men.

Thus, O lord, these mighty warriors, eager to destroy each other, approached the early twilight like tigers.

Then a terrifying and dreadful battle began between your forces and the enemies, with both sides slaughtering each other.