09.015
Pancharatra and Core: The Kaurava army retreats; Duryodhana faces defeat at the hands of Bhima; unable to withstand Yudhisthira, Shalya is taken away by Ashwatthama.
Sanjaya said.
Then, O lord, your forces, led by the king of Madra, once more charged at the Pandavas with great speed in the battle.
All your men, though fierce in battle, were afflicted and started running away. However, in a moment, they overwhelmed the sons of Pritha due to their large numbers.
The Pandavas, under attack by the Kauravas, could not hold their ground as Bhima restrained them, all while Krishna and Arjuna watched.
Then, in his anger, Dhananjaya showered a torrent of arrows upon Kripa and his followers, as well as Kritavarma.
Sahadeva, with his army, halted Shakuni. Meanwhile, Nakula stood aside and observed the Madra king.
The sons of Draupadī primarily held back the kings, while the Pāñcāla prince Śikhaṇḍī held back Droṇa's son.
Bhimasena, wielding his mace, halted the king, while Yudhishthira, Kunti's son, with his army, confronted Shalya.
Then a fierce battle arose, engaged at various places, between your forces and the enemies, all of whom were determined not to retreat.
There we witness the mighty deeds of Śalya in battle, where he single-handedly fought against all the armies of the Pāṇḍavas.
Śalya appeared near Yudhishthira on the battlefield, resembling Saturn close to the moon.
After tormenting the king with serpent-like arrows, he once again charged at Bhima, enveloping him in a rain of arrows.
Seeing his agility and skill in weaponry, both the enemy's and your armies honored him equally.
The Pāṇḍavas, severely wounded and afflicted by Śalya, fled the battlefield, leaving Yudhiṣṭhira behind, who was crying out.
As the armies were being slain by the king of Madra, Yudhishthira, the son of Pandu and the king of righteousness, overcome by anger, then assumed manliness and tormented the king of Madra.
The great warrior, resolved on either victory or defeat, summoned all his brothers along with Krishna and Madhava, and spoke to them.
Bhishma, Drona, Karna, and other kings fought valiantly and met their end in battle for the cause of the Kauravas.
According to the division and enthusiasm, you all have made efforts. The only part remaining is my great charioteer, Śalya.
Today, I hope to defeat the king of Madra in battle. I declare to you everything that is on my mind there.
These two valiant sons of Madravati, who are the protectors of the wheel, are considered invincible even by Indra in battle and are highly regarded by heroes.
These two honorable warriors should confront their maternal uncle in battle, upholding the warrior's duty for my sake, and remain true to their word.
Śalya may kill me in battle or I may kill him. May good be with you. Thus, understand this true speech, O heroes of the world.
Today, I will engage in battle with my uncle, adhering to the duty of a warrior, O kings, having resolved myself for either victory or defeat.
The charioteers should quickly equip his excessive weapon and all equipment in battle according to the scriptures.
Śaineya will take the right wheel, Dhṛṣṭadyumna the left, and today my Pārtha, Dhanañjaya, will guard the rear.
"Let Bhima, the foremost among the wielders of weapons, lead me today. In this way, I shall surpass Shalya in the great battle."
Upon hearing these words, all the kings, who were well-wishers, acted accordingly. Then, O king, the soldiers were filled with joy once more.
He fulfilled the vow made by the Pāñcālas, Somakas, and Matsyas, especially in the battle led by Dharmaraja.
Then the Panchalas blew their conch shells, beat their drums and kettledrums by the hundreds, and the sound of lion roars echoed all around.
The Kuru warriors, filled with excitement and swiftness, charged towards the Madra king with a great sound of joy.
The earth was resonating with the loud sounds of elephant bells, conches, and musical instruments, creating a thunderous roar.
Your son, the valiant king of Madra, welcomed them as if they were many great clouds rising over the mountains.
Śalya, proud of his prowess in battle, attacked Dharmaraja, the subduer of enemies, with a torrent of arrows, just as Indra would shower rain.
In the same way, the king of the Kurus, with great intent, took up the beautiful bow and demonstrated the various teachings of Drona.
He skillfully rained a wonderful and light shower of arrows, and no one could see any opening as he moved in the battle.
Those two warriors, like fierce tigers eager for flesh, valiantly pierced each other with various arrows in battle.
Bhima, along with your son, the warrior, joined forces. Panchali, Satyaki, and the sons of Madri, the Pandavas, confronted the heroes led by Shakuni from all directions.
The fierce battle resumed once more between your forces and the enemies, O king, due to your poor counsel.
Duryodhana, however, aimed and cut down the flag adorned with gold in the battle using an arrow with a bent tip.
The splendid lion adorned with a great net of small bells, beautiful to behold, fell with a roar, belonging to Bhimasena.
Once more, his bow, as magnificent as the trunk of the king of elephants, was severed by the king using a razor-sharp blade.
He, with his bow broken and full of brilliance, pierced your son in the chest with the spear of the chariot, and then, having advanced, he entered the seat of the chariot.
In his delusion, Vrikodara (Bhima) once again swiftly took Yantu's head from his body with a razor.
With the charioteer slain, the horses took the chariot and fled in all directions, O Bharata, causing a great uproar at that time, O king.
Drona's son, the great warrior, along with Kripa and Kritavarma, rushed to protect your son.
In the disrupted army, Arjuna's frightened followers were struck by him as he stretched his bow and shot arrows.
Yudhishthira, filled with anger, charged at the king of Madra, personally driving his horses that were as white as teeth and as swift as the mind.
There we witnessed a remarkable transformation in Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti. Once gentle and self-controlled, he turned harsh.
The son of Kunti, with eyes wide open and trembling in anger, cut down the warriors with his sharp arrows by the hundreds of thousands.
The eldest of the Pāṇḍavas, upon encountering any army, would bring it down with his arrows, just as excellent mountains are struck down by thunderbolts, O king.
He, strong and alone, caused many charioteers with their horses, flags, and chariots to fall, playing like the wind does with clouds.
In the battle, the furious Rudra crushed thousands of horsemen, horses, and foot soldiers as if they were mere beasts.
After clearing the battlefield with a barrage of arrows, he charged at the king of Madra, shouting, "Halt, Śalya!"
Upon witnessing his formidable actions in the battle, all your warriors were struck with fear, yet Śalya advanced towards him.
Then those two, very agitated and born of water, blew their conches, called each other, and came together threateningly.
Shalya attacked Yudhishthira with a barrage of arrows, while the son of Kunti, Arjuna, retaliated by showering arrows upon the king of Madra.
Then, O king, the brave Madra king and Yudhishthira were seen bleeding from the arrows in the battle.
The two great souls, glowing with arrogance in battle, stood like blooming silk-cotton and flame of the forest trees in the forest.
Upon seeing all the armies, he could not determine the victory between the two sides. Today, after slaying the king of Madra, Arjuna will enjoy the earth.
There was no consensus among the warriors, O Bhārata, whether Śalya would kill the Pāṇḍava and give a cow to Duryodhana.
As Dharmaraja was engaged in battle, everything seemed to revolve around him. Then Shalya quickly shot a hundred arrows at Yudhishthira, cutting off his bow with a sharp-pointed arrow.
He took another bow and pierced the arrow with three hundred arrows, then cut off his bow with a razor.
Then he killed his four horses with bent joints, and then with two sharp points, he also killed both the charioteer at the back.
Then, with a bright, yellow, and sharp arrow, he struck down the flag at the forefront. Consequently, O subduer of enemies, Duryodhana's army was shattered.
Then, Drona's son approached the king of Madras, arranged things accordingly, and hurriedly drove away after mounting him on his chariot.
For a moment, they went to the roaring Yudhishthira, and after standing there, the king of Madra ascended another chariot.
The structure was meticulously constructed, gleaming white, and resonated like a mighty cloud. It was equipped with machinery and instruments, instilling fear in the enemies.
