09.057
Pancharatra and Core: Signalled by Arjuna, Bhima breaks the thigh of Duryodhana.
Sanjaya said.
Upon witnessing the battle that had arisen among the chief Kurus, Arjuna addressed the illustrious Vasudeva.
O Janardana, tell me who you consider greater in battle between these two heroes, or whose qualities are superior.
Vasudeva said.
The teachings of both are the same, but Bhima is stronger. However, this son of Dhritarashtra is more diligent than Vrikodara.
Bhimasena, when fighting righteously, will not win. However, if he fights unjustly, he would indeed kill Suyodhana.
We have heard that the gods conquered the demons through illusion. Similarly, Virocana was also defeated by Shakra using illusion, my friend.
By his illusion, Vṛtra's energy was cast aside, O destroyer of the enemy's strength.
Bhima promised during the game, "O Dhananjaya, I will break your thighs with my mace in battle," addressing Suyodhana.
Arjuna, having fulfilled his vow, should use his own deceptive powers to defeat the deceitful king.
If he relies on his strength and acts justly, then King Yudhishthira will find himself in a difficult situation.
"Once again, I will tell you, O Pāṇḍava, listen to me. Due to Dharmarāja's mistake, fear has returned to us."
After performing a great deed by slaying Bhishma and the Kuru warriors, victory was achieved, bringing foremost fame and removing enmity. However, this victory was again put into doubt.
O Pandava, this is a great lack of wisdom on the part of Dharmaraja, that such a battle was wagered for a single victory. Suyodhana, the skillful hero, remains single-minded in his approach.
"Also, hear from me this ancient verse sung by Uśanas, which is heard with the meaning of the truth."
The returning, broken ones who desire life should fear the remaining enemies, for they have indeed gone to one refuge.
Suyodhana, broken and with his army defeated, has gone to the lake. He is defeated and desires the forest, hopeless in obtaining the kingdom.
Who is the wise person who would challenge again in a duel in battle? Even if your kingdom is conquered, Suyodhana would not take it away.
He who, after thirteen years of exhausting practice with the mace, moves both upwards and sideways with the intent to kill Bhimasena.
If the mighty-armed one does not act unjustly, then this Kaurava king, your Dhritarashtra's son, will ascend to the throne.
Arjuna, upon hearing these words from the noble Keshava, struck his own thigh with his hand as Bhimasena looked on.
Upon receiving the signal, Bhima wielded his mace and moved through the battlefield, creating intricate and diverse formations, both paired and singular.
The Pāṇḍava moved in a counterclockwise circle to the south, resembling the flow of cow's urine, and in doing so, seemed to bewilder the enemy, O king.
Similarly, your son, skilled in mace fighting, swiftly and skillfully maneuvered with the intent to kill Bhimasena.
Wielding terrible maces smeared with sandalwood and aloeswood, they were like destroyers in battle, desiring the end of enmity.
The two mighty warriors, like bulls among men, fought fiercely against each other, just as Garuda would hunt for snake prey.
As the king and Bhima moved, varied circles were formed, and from the clash of their maces, fiery flames arose.
O king, there the battle between the strong heroes was as fierce as the agitation of the two oceans by the wind.
The thunderous clash of their strikes was akin to the roar of intoxicated elephants.
In that fierce and chaotic battle, both warriors, exhausted and relentless, continued to fight, subduing their enemies.
Those two warriors, after resting for a moment, once again, the scorchers of foes, angrily took up their great maces and advanced.
A fierce and unrestrained battle arose between them, O king, as they struck each other with maces.
The two swift and bull-eyed warriors, engaged in their exercise, clashed with each other like buffaloes fighting in the mud.
They appeared in the Himalayas, worn out and covered in blood, resembling blooming Butea monosperma trees.
Arjuna was shown the cave by Duryodhana. However, with a slight smile, he suddenly rushed forward.
Vrikodara, the wise one, seeing the opponent approach in battle, hurled his mace at him with great speed and strength.
Upon witnessing the reproach, your son, O lord of the people, retreated from that place, and she fell to the ground in vain.
In a state of confusion, your son released the attack and struck Bhimasena with a mace, O best of the Kurus.
His immense energy was flowing with blood, and it seemed as if fainting arose due to the heavy strike and fall.
Duryodhana recognized the suffering Pāṇḍava in the battle, while Bhīma also endured with his greatly afflicted body.
He perceived that this one was standing ready to strike in battle; hence, your son refrained from attacking him again.
After a brief rest, the mighty Bhimasena swiftly charged at the standing Duryodhana, O king.
Seeing him approach with great energy and excitement, O best of the Bharatas, he wished to render his attack futile.
Your great-minded son, having made up his mind in position, desired to rise to deceive Vrikodara, O king.
Bhimasena realized the king's intention and, like a lion, he rushed and leaped into action.
O king, the Pandava, with great speed, deceived and sent the mace again as he was about to leap with his thighs.
She, with the force of a thunderbolt, struck by Bhima's mighty act, then broke the beautiful thighs of Duryodhana.
He, the tiger among men, fell to the ground, making the earth resound. Your son, O king, with his thigh broken by Bhimasena.
The winds blew fiercely with thunder, causing dust to rain down. The earth trembled, along with the trees, bushes, and mountains.
When the hero, the lord of all earthly kings, fell, a loud and blazing meteor, accompanied by thunder, fearfully fell again upon the earth.
Thus, O Bhārata, when your son was slain, there was a rain of blood and dust, sent by Indra.
A great sound is heard in the sky, belonging to the Yakshas, Rakshasas, and Pisachas, O noble Bharata.
By that terrible sound, a most dreadful noise arose from the animals and birds, echoing in all directions.
When your son fell, those remaining horses, elephants, and men there together released a great sound.
The sound of drums, conches, and mṛdaṅgas echoed greatly. Indeed, your son has fallen within the underground.
O king, the directions there were filled with terrifying figures having many feet and arms, headless trunks, dancing and causing fear.
The warriors, adorned with flags, weapons, and arms, trembled in fear, O king, when your son was slain.
O best of kings, the lakes and wells overflowed with blood, and the rivers, with great speed, flowed against their natural course.
The women, who were like men, became men themselves. Then, O king, when your son Duryodhana fell.
Upon witnessing those extraordinary omens, the Pāñcālas, along with the Pāṇḍavas, remained calm and composed, O esteemed descendant of Bharata.
The gods, along with the Gandharvas and Apsaras, departed as they wished, discussing the marvelous battle of your sons, O Bharata.
In the same manner, O King, the perfected beings and wandering minstrels praised the two Narasimhas and departed the way they had come.
