09.056
Core and Pancharatra: War commences and both Bhima and Yudhisthira appear equally posed.
Sanjaya said.
Then Duryodhana, upon seeing Bhimasena arrive in such a manner, advanced with great speed, undaunted and roaring.
The two horned ones approached each other with a roar, like mighty bulls. Their clash was accompanied by a sound like great thunder.
A fierce and hair-raising battle ensued between the two warriors, each desiring victory, reminiscent of the legendary battles between Indra and Prahlada.
The two spirited warriors, with their bodies smeared in blood and maces in hand, appeared like blooming Butea monosperma trees, symbolizing their readiness and valor.
In that ongoing fierce battle, the sky appeared spectacularly illuminated as if by swarms of fireflies.
In the midst of the ongoing chaos and confusion, both the exhausted warriors, known for subduing their enemies, continued to fight intensely.
After resting for a moment, the two mighty warriors, known as the scorchers of foes, once again took up their auspicious maces and brought them there.
Upon seeing the great heroes, they were reassured, like strong elephants in musth, intoxicated with power.
Upon witnessing the two of immeasurable strength wielding maces, the gods, gandharvas, and demons were greatly amazed.
When Duryodhana and Vrikodara were seen holding their maces, everyone began to doubt the outcome of the battle.
Having met again, the two brothers, the best among the strong, engaged in trying to penetrate each other's defenses.
O king, the spectators beheld the terrifying and destructive mace, heavy and poised as if it were the thunderbolt of Indra, raised like the staff of Yama.
As Bhimasena wielded his mace in battle, a very loud and terrible sound arose for a moment.
Upon witnessing the swinging Pandava, Dhritarashtra's son was indeed astonished by the mace, which was not of light speed.
Vrikodara, the hero, moved through various paths and circles, shining brightly once more, O Bharata.
They both approached each other and engaged in mutual protection, like cats fighting repeatedly for food.
Bhimasena wandered through various paths, circles, and different places.
The varied things, resembling cow urine, have gone and returned, and there is a release from attacks, avoidance, and running around.
The two experts in mace fighting engaged in various maneuvers: charging, throwing, standing firm with conflict, turning back, whirling, leaping down and then up, placing and removing their weapons.
Thus, the two best of the Kurus wandered around, striking and deceiving each other repeatedly.
The strong warriors, while playing, moved around in circles. Then, with maces in hand, they stood firmly in the circle, showcasing their strength.
O king, Dhritarashtra's son advanced to the southern region, while Bhimasena advanced to the left region there.
As Bhima was maneuvering in the battlefield, King Duryodhana attacked him from the side.
Then Bhima, struck by your son, O Bharata, swung his heavy mace, contemplating the blow.
O great king, they beheld Bhimasena's mace, which was as dreadful as Indra's thunderbolt and poised like the staff of Yama.
Seeing Bhimasena wielding the mace, your son raised his terrible mace and struck the subduer of foes.
O Bharata, with the speed of the wind, the sound of your son's mace was very loud, and splendor arose.
Suyodhana, moving through various paths and circles in parts, shone more brilliantly than Bhima.
The great mace, struck with full force by Bhima, emitted fierce fire with smoke and flames, producing a tremendous sound.
Suyodhana, upon seeing the mace shaken by Bhimasena, wielded his own heavy mace made of mountain essence and appeared magnificent.
Upon witnessing the swift force of the great soul's mace, fear gripped all the Pandavas and the Somakas.
The two warriors, displaying their martial skills in the battle, suddenly struck each other with their maces, showcasing their prowess as subduers of enemies.
The two of them, like elephants with tusks, approached each other and appeared, O great king, covered in blood.
Thus, the battle became fierce and unrestrained, resembling the legendary conflict between Vritra and Indra as the day turned.
Upon seeing Bhima ready, your mighty son took various paths and rushed towards Kunti's son.
Bhima, in his fury, swiftly struck the gold-adorned mace of the enraged opponent.
O great king, there appeared a roar with sparks, born from the impact of those two, resembling the clash of thunderbolts.
O great king, the earth trembled as the swift one, released by Bhimasena, fell there.
The Kaurava could not bear the sight of his mace being deflected in battle, much like an enraged elephant when confronted by another.
He decisively whirled his left circle, O king, and struck the son of Kunti on the head with a mace of immense force.
Bhima, struck by your son, was not shaken, O great king; it seemed as if it was something wonderful.
O king, all the armies were amazed and honored Bhima, who, even when struck by the mace, did not move an inch from his place.
Then Bhima, known for his terrible prowess, hurled a heavier, shining, gold-adorned mace at Duryodhana.
The mighty warrior, with great agility and calmness, rendered Duryodhana's attack futile, causing great astonishment there.
The mace thrown by Bhima, though it fell in vain, caused the earth to tremble with its mighty thunderous noise, O king.
He repeatedly leapt along Kausika's paths, and understanding the fall of the mace, he tricked Bhimasena.
The mighty warrior, in great anger, deceived Bhima and struck him on the chest with a mace, being the best among the Kurus.
Bhima, struck by the mace in the great battle, was fainting and did not see it as his duty, having been struck by your son.
In that situation, O king, the Somakas and the Pandavas were greatly disturbed in their resolve and did not feel cheerful.
But he, enraged like an elephant by that blow, charged at your son who resembled an elephant.
Then, the fierce Bhima, wielding his mace, charged at your son with the speed and ferocity of a lion attacking an elephant.
The expert in mace fighting approached the king and swung his mace, aiming at your son, O king.
Bhimasena struck Duryodhana on his side, and then Duryodhana, being stunned by the blow, fell to the ground on his knees.
When the best of the Bharatas fell to the ground on his knees, a sound arose from the Sṛñjayas, O lord of the world.
Upon hearing the sound of the Sṛñjayas, your son, the bull among men, became very angry, O best of the Bharatas.
The mighty-armed warrior, having risen in anger and breathing like a serpent, gazed at Bhimasena with eyes that seemed to burn.
Then, the noble Bharata, wielding his mace, charged forward as if to crush Bhimasena's head in the battle.
The mighty warrior, known for his formidable strength, struck Bhima on the temple, causing him to shake like a mountain.
Arjuna, though struck by a mace in battle and bleeding, shone again like a broken elephant, O king.
Then, the elder brother of Dhananjaya, known for tormenting foes, took up the hero-slaying iron mace, and with a sound like thunder, he advanced and struck the enemy with great strength.
Your son, struck down by Bhimasena, fell with his body trembling, like a fully blossomed Sal tree whirled by the force of the wind in the great forest.
Then the Pāṇḍavas sounded their conches and rejoiced, seeing your son fallen on the ground. Then your son, regaining consciousness, rose like an elephant emerging from a lake.
The king, always impatient, was then a great warrior, trained and roaming. He struck the Pāṇḍava who was standing in front, and with trembling limbs, he touched the ground.
The Kaurava roared like a lion, having knocked Bhima to the ground in battle with great strength, and pierced his body protection with a mace strike that shone like a thunderbolt.
Then a great sound arose in the sky from the celestials and apsaras who were singing. An excellent shower of variegated flowers, sent by the best of the gods, fell from above.
Then, observing the best of men fallen on the ground and hearing the breaking of the strong armor, supreme fear entered the enemies, and the Kaurava was being overpowered by force.
Then, after a moment, Bhima regained consciousness, wiped his blood-stained face, gathered his courage, and with his eyes rolling, steadied himself with strength and stood firm.
