Mahabharata Book 8 Karna Parva

OF
KRISHNA-DWAIPAYANA VYASA
BOOK 8 – KARNA PARVA
[1883-1896]
MAHABHARATA – BOOK 8 - KARNA PARVA KISARI MOHAN GANGULI
THE
MAHABHARATA
of
KRISHNA-DWAIPAYANA
VYASA
Translated into English Prose from the Original

Sanskrit Text
by
Kisari Mohan Ganguli
[1883-1896]
2
Translator's Preface
The object of a translator should ever be to hold the mirror up to

his author.
That being so, his chief duty is to represent so far as practicable
the manner in which his author’s ideas have been expressed,
retaining if possible at the sacrifice of idiom and taste all the
peculiarities of his author’s imagery and of language as well. In
regard to translations from the Sanskrit, nothing is easier than to
dish up Hindu ideas, so as to make them agreeable to English
taste. But the endeavour of the present translator has been to give
in the following pages as literal a rendering as possible of the
great work of Vyasa.
To the purely English reader there is much in the following pages
that will strike as ridiculous. Those unacquainted with any
language but their own are generally very exclusive in matters of
taste. Having no knowledge of models other than what they meet
with in their own tongue, the standard they have formed of purity
and taste in composition must necessarily be a narrow one. The
translator, however, would ill-discharge his duty, if for the sake of
avoiding ridicule, he sacrificed fidelity to the original. He must
represent his author as he is, not as he should be to please the
narrow taste of those entirely unacquainted with him. Mr.
Pickford, in the preface to his English translation of the Mahavira
Charita, ably defends a close adherence to the original even at the
3
sacrifice of idiom and taste against the claims of what has been
called ‘Free Translation,’ which means dressing the author in an
outlandish garb to please those to whom he is introduced.
In the preface to his classical translation of Bhartrihari’s Niti
Satakam and Vairagya Satakam, Mr. C.H. Tawney says, “I am
sensible that in the present attempt I have retained much local
colouring. For instance, the ideas of worshipping the feet of a god
of great men, though it frequently occurs in Indian literature, will
undoubtedly move the laughter of Englishmen unacquainted with
Sanskrit, especially if they happen to belong to that class of
readers who revel their attention on the accidental and remain
blind to the essential. But a certain measure of fidelity to the
original even at the risk of making oneself ridiculous, is better
than the studied dishonesty which characterises so many
translations of oriental poets.”
We fully subscribe to the above although, it must be observed, the
censure conveyed to the class of translators last indicated is
rather undeserved, there being nothing like a ‘studied dishonesty’
in their efforts which proceed only from a mistaken view of their
duties and as such betray only an error of the head but not of the
heart. More than twelve years ago when Babu Pratapa Chandra
Roy, with Babu Durga Charan Banerjee, went to my retreat at
Seebpore, for engaging me to translate the Mahabharata into
English, I was amazed with the grandeur of the scheme. My first
question to him was,--whence was the money to come, supposing
my competence for the task. Pratapa then unfolded to me the
4
details of his plan, the hopes he could legitimately cherish of

assistance from different quarters. He was full of enthusiasm. He
showed me Dr. Rost’s letter, which, he said, had suggested to him
the undertaking. I had known Babu Durga Charan for many years
and I had the highest opinion of his scholarship and practical
good sense. When he warmly took Pratapa’s side for convincing
me of the practicability of the scheme, I listened to him patiently.
The two were for completing all arrangements with me the very
day. To this I did not agree. I took a week’s time to consider. I
consulted some of my literary friends, foremost among whom was
the late lamented Dr. Sambhu C. Mookherjee. The latter, I found,
had been waited upon by Pratapa. Dr. Mookherjee spoke to me of
Pratapa as a man of indomitable energy and perseverance. The
result of my conference with Dr. Mookherjee was that I wrote to
Pratapa asking him to see me again. In this second interview
estimates were drawn up, and everything was arranged as far as
my portion of the work was concerned. My friend left with me a
specimen of translation which he had received from Professor
Max Muller.
This I began to study, carefully comparing it sentence by
sentence, with the original. About its literal character there could
be no doubt, but it had no flow and, therefore, could not be
perused with pleasure by the general reader. The translation had
been executed thirty years ago by a young German friend of the
great Pundit. I had to touch up every sentence. This I did without
at all impairing faithfulness to the original. My first ‘copy’ was set
5
up in type and a dozen sheets were struck off. These were

submitted to the judgment of a number of eminent writers,
European and native.
All of them, I was glad to see, approved of the specimen, and then
the task of translating the Mahabharata into English seriously
began.
Before, however, the first fasciculus could be issued, the question
as to whether the authorship of the translation should be publicly
owned, arose. Babu Pratapa Chandra Roy was against anonymity.
I was for it. The reasons I adduced were chiefly founded upon the
impossibility of one person translating the whole of the gigantic
work. Notwithstanding my resolve to discharge to the fullest
extent the duty that I took up, I might not live to carry it out. It
would take many years before the end could be reached. Other
circumstances than death might arise in consequence of which
my connection with the work might cease. It could not be
desirable to issue successive fasciculus with the names of a
succession of translators appearing on the title pages. These and
other considerations convinced my friend that, after all, my view
was correct. It was, accordingly, resolved to withhold the name of
the translator. As a compromise, however, between the two views,
it was resolved to issue the first fasciculus with two prefaces, one
over the signature of the publisher and the other headed—
‘Translator’s Preface.’
6
This, it was supposed, would effectually guard against

misconceptions of every kind. No careful reader would then
confound the publisher with the author.
Although this plan was adopted, yet before a fourth of the task
had been accomplished, an influential Indian journal came down
upon poor Pratapa Chandra Roy and accused him openly of being
a party to a great literary imposture, viz., of posing before the
world as the translator of Vyasa’s work when, in fact, he was only
the publisher. The charge came upon my friend as a surprise,
especially as he had never made a secret of the authorship in his
correspondence with Oriental scholars in every part of the world.
He promptly wrote to the journal in question, explaining the
reasons there were for anonymity, and pointing to the two
prefaces with which the first fasciculus had been given to the
world. The editor readily admitted his mistake and made a
satisfactory apology.
Now that the translation has been completed, there can no longer
be any reason for withholding the name of the translator. The
entire translation is practically the work of one hand. In portions
of the Adi and the Sabha Parvas, I was assisted by Babu Charu
Charan Mookerjee. About four forms of the Sabha Parva were
done by Professor Krishna Kamal Bhattacharya, and about half a
fasciculus during my illness, was done by another hand. I should
however state that before passing to the printer the copy received
from these gentlemen I carefully compared every sentence with
7
the original, making such alterations as were needed for securing

a uniformity of style with the rest of the work.
I should here observe that in rendering the Mahabharata into
English I have derived very little aid from the three Bengali
versions that are supposed to have been executed with care. Every
one of these is full of inaccuracies and blunders of every
description. The Santi in particular which is by far the most
difficult of the eighteen Parvas, has been made a mess of by the
Pundits that attacked it. Hundreds of ridiculous blunders can be
pointed out in both the Rajadharma and the Mokshadharma
sections. Some of these I have pointed out in footnotes.
I cannot lay claim to infallibility. There are verses in the
Mahabharata that are exceedingly difficult to construe. I have
derived much aid from the great commentator Nilakantha. I know
that Nilakantha’s authority is not incapable of being challenged.
But when it is remembered that the interpretations given by
Nilakantha came down to him from preceptors of olden days, one
should think twice before rejecting Nilakantha as a guide.
About the readings I have adopted, I should say that as regards
the first half of the work, I have generally adhered to the Bengal
texts; as regards the latter half, to the printed Bombay edition.
Sometimes individual sections, as occurring in the Bengal
editions, differ widely, in respect of the order of the verses, from
the corresponding ones in the Bombay edition. In such cases I
have adhered to the Bengal texts, convinced that the sequence of
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ideas has been better preserved in the Bengal editions than the
Bombay one.
I should express my particular obligations to Pundit Ram Nath
Tarkaratna, the author of ‘Vasudeva Vijayam’ and other poems,
Pundit Shyama Charan Kaviratna, the learned editor of
Kavyaprakasha with the commentary of Professor Mahesh
Chandra Nayaratna, and Babu Aghore Nath Banerjee, the
manager of the Bharata Karyalaya. All these scholars were my
referees on all points of difficulty. Pundit Ram Nath’s solid
scholarship is known to them that have come in contact with him.
I never referred to him a difficulty that he could not clear up.
Unfortunately, he was not always at hand to consult. Pundit
Shyama Charan Kaviratna, during my residence at Seebpore,
assisted me in going over the Mokshadharma sections of the Santi
Parva. Unostentatious in the extreme, Kaviratna is truly the type
of a learned Brahman of ancient India. Babu Aghore Nath
Banerjee also has from time to time, rendered me valuable
assistance in clearing my difficulties.
Gigantic as the work is, it would have been exceedingly difficult
for me to go on with it if I had not been encouraged by Sir Stuart
Bayley, Sir Auckland Colvin, Sir Alfred Croft, and among Oriental
scholars, by the late lamented Dr. Reinhold Rost, and Mons. A.
Barth of Paris. All these eminent men know from the beginning
that the translation was proceeding from my pen.
Notwithstanding the enthusiasm, with which my poor friend,
Pratapa Chandra Roy, always endeavoured to fill me. I am sure
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my energies would have flagged and patience exhausted but for

the encouraging words which I always received from these
patrons and friends of the enterprise.
Lastly, I should name my literary chief and friend, Dr. Sambhu C.
Mookherjee. The kind interest he took in my labours, the
repeated exhortations he addressed to me inculcating patience,
the care with which he read every fasciculus as it came out,
marking all those passages which threw light upon topics of
antiquarian interest, and the words of praise he uttered when any
expression particularly happy met his eyes, served to stimulate
me more than anything else in going on with a task that
sometimes seemed to me endless.
Kisari Mohan Ganguli

Calcutta
10
BOOK 8
KARNA PARVA
11
Om! Having bowed down unto Narayana, and unto that most
exalted of male beings, Nara, and unto the goddess Sarasvati also,
must the word Jaya be uttered.
Vaishampayana said, “After Drona had been slain, O monarch,

the royal warriors (of the Kaurava army) headed by Duryodhana,
with hearts filled with great anxiety, all repaired to Drona’s son.
Lamenting the loss of Drona, and deprived of energy in
consequence of their cheerlessness, they sat around the son of
Sharadvata’s daughter, afflicted with grief. Comforted for a little
while by considerations founded upon the scriptures, when night
came, those rulers of Earth proceeded to their respective tents.
Those lords of Earth, however, O thou of Kuru’s race, could feel
no happiness in their abodes. Thinking of that immense slaughter,
they could not also sleep. The Suta’s son (Karna), and king
Suyodhana and Duhshasana and Shakuni, in special, could not
compose themselves to sleep. Those four passed that night
together in Duryodhana’s tent, reflecting upon the woes they had
inflicted upon the high-souled Pandavas. Formerly they had
brought Draupadi, plunged into woe on account of the match at
dice, into the assembly. Recollecting it they experienced great
regret, their hearts being filled with anxiety. Thinking of those
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sufferings inflicted (upon the Pandavas) in consequence of the

gambling match they passed that night in sorrow, O king, as if it
were really a hundred years. Then when morning came, observing
the dictates of the ordinance, all of them duly went through the
customary rites. Having gone through these customary rites, and
comforted to some extent, O Bharata, they ordered their troops to
be arrayed, and then came out for battle, having made Karna their
generalissimo by tying the auspicious thread round his wrists, and
having caused many foremost of brahmanas, by presents of
vessels of curds, clarified butter, akshatas, coins of gold, kine,
jewels and gems, and costly robes, to pray for their victory, and
having caused heralds and musicians, and panegyrists to adore
them with hymns about victory. The Pandavas also, O king,
having gone through their morning rites, issued from their camp,
resolved on battle. Then commenced a fierce battle, making the
hair to stand on end, between the Kurus and the Pandavas, each
desirous of vanquishing the other. During the commandership of
Karna, the battle that took place between the Kuru and the
Pandava troops was exceedingly fierce and lasted for two days.
Then Vrisha (Karna) having made an immense slaughter of his
enemies in battle, was at last slain in the sight of the
Dhartarashtras, by Arjuna. Then Sanjaya, repairing to Hastinapura
told Dhritarashtra all that had happened at Kurujangala.”
13
Janamejaya said, “Having heard of the fall of Bhishma and that

other mighty car-warrior, Drona, the old king Dhritarashtra the
son of Ambika had been afflicted with great grief. How, O
foremost of brahmanas, could he, plunged into grief, support his
life having heard of the death of Karna, that well-wisher of
Duryodhana? How indeed, could that descendant of Kuru support
his life when he, upon whom that monarch had rested the hope of
his sons’ victory, had fallen? When the king did not lay down his
life even after hearing of Karna’s death, I think that it is very
difficult for men to yield up life even under circumstances of great
grief! O brahmana, when the king did not yield up his life after
hearing of the fall of the venerable son of Shantanu, of Bahlika
and Drona and Somadatta and Bhurishrava, as also other friends
and his sons and grandsons, I think, O regenerate one, that the act
of yielding up one’s life is exceedingly difficult! Tell me all these
in detail and as they actually happened! I am not satiated with
hearing the high achievements of my ancestors!”
14
Vaishampayana said, “Upon the fall of Karna, O monarch, the son

of Gavalgana, with a cheerless heart, set out that night for
Nagapura, on steeds that rivalled the wind in speed. Arrived at
Hastinapura, with a heart filled with deep anxiety, he proceeded to
Dhritarashtra’s abode which no longer teemed with kinsmen and
friends. Beholding the king deprived of all energy by grief,
joining his hands he worshipped, with a bend of his head, the
monarch’s feet. Having duly worshipped king Dhritarashtra, he
uttered an exclamation of woe and then began, ‘I am Sanjaya, O
lord of Earth! Art thou not happy? I hope thou art not stupefied,
having through thy own faults fallen into such distress? Counsels
for thy good had been uttered by Vidura and Ganga’s son and
Keshava. I hope thou feelest no pain now, remembering thy
rejection of those counsels? Counsels for thy good had also been
uttered in the assembly by Rama and Narada and Kanwa and
others. I hope thou feelest no pain now, remembering their
rejection by thee? I hope thou feelest no pain, remembering the
slaughter in battle, by the foe, of Bhishma and Drona and others,
those friends that were ever engaged in thy good?’ Unto the Suta’s
son who with joined hands was telling him so, the monarch
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afflicted with grief and drawing a long and hot breath, said these
words.
“Dhritarashtra said, ‘Hearing, O Sanjaya, of the fall of the heroic

son of Ganga, that warrior of all celestial weapons, as also of the
fall of that foremost of all bowmen, Drona, my heart feeleth great
pain! That hero endued with great energy and born of the Vasus
themselves, who slew every day 10,000 car-warriors clad in mail,
that high-souled one unto whom Bhrigu’s son had given the
highest weapons, that warrior who in his childhood had been
trained in the science of the bow by Rama, alas, even he hath been
slain by Yajnasena’s son Shikhandi protected by the Pandavas! At
this my heart is greatly pained! That hero through whose grace
those mighty car-warriors, the royal sons of Kunti, as also many
other lords of Earth, have become maharathas, alas, hearing of the
slaughter of that great bowman of sure aim, Drona, by
Dhrishtadyumna, my heart is exceedingly pained! Those two had
not in the world a person equal to them in (knowledge and use of)
the four kinds of weapons! Alas, hearing of the slaughter of these
two, Bhishma and Drona, in battle my heart is exceedingly
pained! That warrior who had not in the three worlds a person
equal to him in knowledge of weapons, alas, hearing of the
slaughter of that hero, Drona, what did the people of my side do?
After the high-souled son of Pandu, Dhananjaya, exerting himself
with prowess, had despatched unto Yama’s abode the strong force
16
of the samsaptakas, after the Narayana weapon of the intelligent

son of Drona had been baffled, and after the (Kaurava) divisions
had begun to fly away, what, indeed, did the people of my side
do? I think that, after Drona’s death my troops, flying away and
sinking in an ocean of grief, resembled shipwrecked mariners
struggling on the bosom of the vast deep. What also, O Sanjaya,
became the colour of the faces of Duryodhana, and Karna, and
Kritavarma the chief of the Bhojas and Shalya, the ruler of the
Madras, and of my remaining sons, and of the others, when the
Kuru divisions fled away from the field? Tell me all this as it truly
happened in battle, O son of Gavalgana, and describe to me the
prowess put forth by the Pandavas and the warriors of my side!”
“Sanjaya said, ‘O sire, hearing all that has happened unto the
Kauravas through thy fault, thou shouldst not feel any anguish! He
that is wise never feeleth any pain at what Destiny bringeth! And
since Destiny is unconquerable, human purposes may or may not
become attainable. Hence, he that is wise never feeleth pain on the
acquisition or the reverse of the objects cherished by him.
“Dhritarashtra said, ‘I do not feel great pain, O Sanjaya! I regard

all this to be the result of Destiny! Tell me all that thou wishest!’”
17
“Sanjaya said, ‘Upon the fall of the great bowman Drona, thy
sons, those mighty car-warriors, became pale and deprived of their
senses. Armed with weapons, all of them, O monarch, hung down
their heads. Afflicted with grief and without looking at one
another, they stood perfectly silent. Beholding them with such
afflicted countenances, thy troops, O Bharata, themselves
perturbed by grief, vacantly gazed upwards. Seeing Drona slain in
battle, the weapons of many of them, O king, dyed with blood,
dropped from their hands. Innumerable weapons, again, O
Bharata, still retained in the grasp of the soldiers, seemed in their
pendent attitude, to resemble falling meteors in the sky. Then king
Duryodhana, O monarch, beholding that army of thine thus
standing as if paralysed and lifeless, said, “Relying upon the
might of your army I have summoned the Pandavas to battle and
caused this passage-at-arms to commence! Upon the fall of Drona,
however, the prospect seems to be cheerless. Warriors engaged in
battle all die in battle. Engaged in battle, a warrior may have
either victory or death. What can be strange then in this (viz., the
death of Drona)? Fight ye with faces turned towards every
direction. Behold now the high-souled Karna, the son of
Vikartana, that great bowman of mighty strength, careering in
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battle, using his celestial weapons! Through fear of that warrior in

battle, that coward, viz., Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, always
turns back like a small deer at the sight of a lion! It is he who, by
the ordinary methods of human battle, brought the mighty
Bhimasena endued with the strength of 10,000 elephants to that
plight! It is he who, uttering a loud roar, slew with his invincible
dart the brave Ghatotkaca of a 1,000 illusions and well-acquainted
with celestial weapons! Behold today the inexhaustible might of
arms of that intelligent warrior of sure aim and invincible energy!
Let the sons of Pandu behold today the prowess of both
Ashvatthama and Karna resembling that of Vishnu and Vasava!
All of you are singly able to slay the sons of Pandu with their
troops in battle! How much more then are you capable, when
united together, of that feat! Endued with great energy and
accomplished in weapons, you will today behold one another
engaged in the achievement of mighty tasks!’”
“Sanjaya continued, ‘Having said these words, O sinless one, thy

son Duryodhana, with his brothers, made Karna the generalissimo
(of the Kuru army). Obtaining the command, the mighty car-
warrior Karna, so fierce in battle, uttered loud roars and fought
with the foe. He caused, O sire, a great carnage among the
Srinjayas, the Pancalas, the Kekayas, and the Videhas. From his
bow issued innumerable lines of arrows, one close behind the
wings of another, like flights of bees. Having afflicted the
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Pancalas and the Pandavas endued with great activity, and slain
thousands of warriors, he was at last slain by Arjuna!”
20
Vaishampayana said, “Hearing this intelligence, O monarch,

Dhritarashtra the son of Ambika, feeling the acme of grief,
regarded Suyodhana to be already dead. Exceedingly agitated, the
king fell down on the Earth like an elephant deprived of its senses.
When that foremost of the monarchs, greatly agitated, fell down
on the Earth, loud wails were uttered, O best of the Bharatas, by
the ladies (of the royal household). That noise was so loud that it
seemed to fill the entire Earth. Immersed in a deep ocean of woe,
the Bharata ladies, with hearts exceedingly agitated and scorched
by grief, wept aloud. Approaching the king, Gandhari, O bull of
Bharata’s race, and the other ladies of the household, all fell down
on the earth, deprived of their senses. Then Sanjaya, O king,
began to comfort those ladies stricken with grief, bathed in tears,
and reft of consciousness. Comforted (by Sanjaya), those ladies
began to tremble repeatedly like a plantain grove shaken by the
wind. Vidura also, sprinkling that descendant of Kuru with water,
began to comfort the puissant monarch who had knowledge only
for his eye. Slowly restored to consciousness, and understanding
that the ladies of the household were there, the king, O monarch,
remained perfectly silent for some time like one reft of reason.
Having reflected then for some time, and repeatedly drawn long
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breaths, the king censured his own sons and applauded the
Pandavas. Censuring also his own intelligence and that of Shakuni
the son of Subala, the king, having reflected for a long time, began
to tremble repeatedly. Controlling his mind once more, the king,
with sufficient fortitude, questioned his charioteer Sanjaya the son
of Gavalgana.
“Dhritarashtra said, ‘I have heard, O Sanjaya, all that thou hast

said. Hath my son Duryodhana, O Suta, who is ever desirous of
victory, already gone to Yama’s abode, despairing of success?
Tell me truly, O Sanjaya, all this even if thou wilt have to repeat
it!’”
Vaishampayana continued, “Thus addressed by the king, O

Janamejaya, the Suta said unto him, ‘The mighty car-warrior
Vaikartana, O monarch, hath been slain with his sons and
brothers, and other Suta warriors, all of whom were mighty
bowmen ready to lay down their lives in battle! Duhshasana also
hath been slain by the renowned son of Pandu. Indeed, his blood
also hath been, from wrath, drunk by Bhimasena in battle!’”
22
Vaishampayana said, “Hearing these words, O monarch,

Ambika’s son Dhritarashtra, with heart agitated by grief,
addressed his driver Sanjaya, saying, ‘Though the evil policy, O
sire, of my son of little foresight, Vikartana’s son hath been slain!
This intelligence is cutting the very core of my heart! I am
desirous of crossing this sea of grief! Remove my doubts,
therefore, by telling me who are still alive and who are dead
amongst the Kurus and the Pandavas!’
“Sanjaya said, ‘Endued with great prowess and invincible in

battle, Bhishma the son of Shantanu, O king, having slain large
numbers of Srinjayas and Pancalas, hath been slain after ten days.
The mighty and invincible bowman Drona of the golden car,
having slaughtered the Pancala divisions in battle, hath been slain.
Having slaughtered the half of what remained after the carnage by
Bhishma and the illustrious Drona, Vikartana’s son Karna hath
been slain. Endued with great strength, O monarch, prince
Vivingsati, having slain hundreds of Anarta warriors in battle,
hath been slain. Thy heroic son Vikarna, deprived of steeds and
weapons, stood, facing the foe, remembering the duties of
Kshatriyas. Remembering the many foul wrongs inflicted upon
him by Duryodhana, and bearing in mind his own vow,
23
Bhimasena hath slain him. Possessed of great might, Vinda and

Anuvinda, the two princes of Avanti, after achieving the most
difficult feats, have gone to Yama’s abode. That hero who had
under his sway ten kingdoms, having Sindhu for their chief, him
who was ever obedient to thee, Jayadratha of mighty energy, O
king, Arjuna hath slain after vanquishing eleven akshauhinis of
troops with his keen arrows. Endued with great activity and
incapable of being easily defeated in battle, the son of
Duryodhana, ever obedient to his sire’s commands, hath been
slain by the son of Subhadra. The brave son of Duhshasana,
possessed of mighty arms and fierce in battle, hath been
despatched to Yama’s abode by Draupadi’s son exerting himself
with great prowess! The ruler of the Kiratas and other dwellers of
the lowlands on the seacoast, the much respected and dear friend
of the chief of the celestials himself, the virtuous king Bhagadatta,
who was ever devoted to Kshatriya duties, hath been despatched
to Yama’s abode by Dhananjaya exerting himself great with
prowess. The kinsman of the Kauravas, the son of Somadatta, the
brave and celebrated Bhurishrava, O king, hath been slain by
Satyaki in battle. The Amvashtha king Srutayus, that foremost of
Kshatriyas, who used to career in battle most fearlessly, hath been
slain by Arjuna. Thy son Duhshasana, accomplished in arms and
invincible in battle, and who was always wrathful, hath, O
monarch, been slain by Bhimasena. Sudakshina, O king, who had
24
many thousands of wonderful elephants, hath been slain in battle

by Arjuna. The ruler of the Kosolas, having slain many hundreds
of foes, hath himself been despatched to Yama’s abode by
Subhadra’s son exerting himself with prowess. Having fought
with many thousands of foes and with the mighty car-warrior
Bhimasena himself, thy son Citrasena hath been slain by
Bhimasena. The brave younger brother of the ruler of the Madras,
that enhancer of the fears of foes, that handsome warrior armed
with sword and shield, hath been slain by Subhadra’s son. He who
was equal to Karna himself in battle, Karna’s son Vrishasena,
accomplished in arms, of mighty energy and steady prowess, hath,
in the very sight of Karna, been despatched to Yama’s abode by
Dhananjaya who put forth his prowess remembering the slaughter
of his own son Abhimanyu and bearing in mind the vow he had
made. That lord of Earth, Srutayus, who always displayed a deep-
rooted antipathy towards the Pandavas, hath been slain by Partha
who reminded him of that antipathy before taking his life.
Shalya’s son of great prowess, O sire, Rukmaratha, hath, O king,
been slain in battle by Sahadeva although the former happened to
be the latter’s brother, having been the son of the latter’s maternal
uncle. The old king Bhagiratha, and Vrihatkshatra the ruler of the
Kaikeyas both endued with great prowess and might and energy,
have been slain. Bhagadatta’s son, O king who was possessed of
great wisdom and great strength, hath been slain by Nakula who
25
always careers in battle with the activity of the hawk. Thy

grandsire Bahlika, possessed of great might and prowess, hath,
with all his followers, been slain by Bhimasena. The mighty
Jayatsena the son of Jarasandha, the prince of the Magadhas, O
king, hath been slain in battle by the high-souled son of Subhadra.
Thy son Durmukha, O king, as also thy other son Dussaha, that
mighty car-warrior, both of whom were regarded as heroes, have
been slain by Bhimasena with his mace. Durmarshana and
Durvisaha and the mighty car-warrior Durjaya, having achieved
the most difficult feats, have gone to Yama’s abode. The two
brothers Kalinga and Vrishaka, who were invincible in battle,
having achieved very difficult feats have gone to Yama’s abode.
Thy counsellor Vrishavarman of the Suta caste, endued with great
energy, hath been despatched to Yama’s abode by Bhimasena
exerting himself with prowess. So also king Paurava who was
endued with the might of 10,000 elephants, hath, with all his
followers, been slain by Pandu’s son Arjuna. The Vasatis, O king,
numbering 2,000, effectual smiters of all, as also the Surasenas
endued with prowess, have all been slain in battle. The
Abhishahas, clad in mail, capable of smiting effectually, and
fierce in battle, also the Sivis, those foremost of car-warriors, with
the Kalingas, have all been slain. Those other heroes also, (the
Narayana Gopas) who live and grew in Gokula, who were
exceedingly wrathful in battle, and who never retreated from the
26
field have been slain by Savyasaci. Many thousands of Srenis, as

also the samsaptakas, approaching Arjuna, have all repaired to the
abode of Yama. Thy two brothers-in-law, viz., the princes
Vrishaka and Achala, who were endued with great prowess, have
for thy sake been slain by Savyasaci. King Shalva of mighty arms
and fierce deeds, who was a great bowman both in name and
feats, hath been slain by Bhimasena. Oghavat, O king, and
Vrishanta, fighting together in battle and exerting themselves with
great vigour for the sake of their ally, have both repaired to
Yama’s abode. So also that foremost of car-warriors, viz.,
Kshemadhurti, O monarch, hath been slain in battle by Bhimasena
with his mace. So also that great bowman, viz., the mighty king
Jalasandha, after causing an immense carnage, hath been slain by
Satyaki in battle. That prince of Rakshasas, viz., Alayudha, unto
whose vehicle were yoked asses (of monstrous shape) hath been
despatched to Yama’s abode by Ghatotkaca exerting himself with
great prowess. Radha’s son of the Suta caste, and those mighty
car-warriors who were his brothers, and the Kaikeyas, the
Malavas, the Madrakas the Dravidas of fierce prowess, the
Yaudheyas, the Lalittyas, the Kshudrakas, the Usinaras, the
Tundikeras, the Savitriputras, the Easterners, the Northerners, the
Westerners, and the Southerners, O sire, have all been slain by
Savyasaci. Large bands of foot-soldiers, myriads upon myriads of
steeds, large number of car-warriors, and many huge elephants,
27
have been slain. Many heroes also, with standards and weapons,
and with armour and attire and ornaments, and endued with
perseverance and possessed of high birth and good conduct, have
been slain in battle by Partha who is never fatigued with exertion.
Others, endued with immeasurable might, and desirous of slaying
their foes, (have met with a similar fate). These and many other
kings, numbering thousands, with their followers, have, O
monarch, been slain in battle. That which thou askest me I am
answering now. Even thus did the destruction take place when
Arjuna and Karna fought. Even as Mahendra slew Vritra, and
Rama slew Ravana; even as Krishna slew Naraka or Mura in
battle; even as the mighty Rama of Bhrigu’s race slew the heroic
Kartavirya, invincible in battle, with all his kinsmen and friends,
after fighting a terrible battle celebrated through the three worlds;
even as Skanda slew (the Asura) Mahisha, and Rudra slew (the
Asura) Andhaka, even so hath Arjuna, O king, in single combat,
slain, with all his kinsmen, that foremost of smiters, viz., Karna,
who was invincible in battle and upon whom the Dhartarashtras
had placed their hopes of victory, and who was the great cause of
the hostility with the Pandavas! Pandu’s son hath now
accomplished that which at one time thou couldst not believe him
capable of accomplishing, although, O monarch, well-meaning
friends failed not to apprise thee of it. That calamity, fraught with
great destruction, hath now come! Thou, O king wishing them
28
well, hast heaped those evils on the heads of thy covetous sons!
The fruit of those evils is now manifesting itself!’”
29
“Dhritarashtra said, ‘Thou hast, O son, mentioned the names of

those of my side that have been slain in battle by the Pandavas.
Tell me now, O Sanjaya, the names of those amongst the
Pandavas that have been slain by the people of my side!’
“Sanjaya said, ‘The Kuntis possessed of great prowess in battle,

endued with great energy and great might, have been slain in fight
by Bhishma, with all their kinsmen and advisers. The Narayanas,
the Valabhadras, and hundreds of other heroes, all devoted (to the
Pandavas) have been slain in battle by the heroic Bhishma.
Satyajit, who was equal to the diadem-decked Arjuna himself in
battle as regards energy and might, hath been slain in battle by
Drona of sure aim. Many mighty bowmen among the Pancalas, all
of whom were skilled in battle, encountering Drona, have repaired
to Yama’s abode. So the two kings Virata and Drupada, both
venerable in years, who exerted themselves with great prowess for
their ally, have, with their sons, been slain in battle by Drona.
That invincible hero, viz., Abhimanyu, who, though a child in
years, was still equal in battle to Arjuna or Keshava or Baladeva,
O lord, that, warrior who was highly accomplished in battle, after
making an immense slaughter of the foe, was at last encompassed
by six foremost of car-warriors and slain by them. Unable to resist
30
Arjuna himself, they thus slew Arjuna’s son! Deprived of his car,
that hero, viz., the son of Subhadra, still stayed in battle,
remembering the duties of a Kshatriya. At last, O king,
Duhshasana’s son slew him on the field. The slayer of the
Patachchatras, viz., the handsome son of Amvashtha, surrounded
by a large force, had put forth all his prowess for the sake of his
allies. Having made a great slaughter among the foe, he was
encountered by Duryodhana’s son, the brave Lakshmana, in battle
and despatched to Yama’s abode. The mighty bowman Vrihanta,
accomplished in arms and invincible in battle, hath been
despatched to Yama’s abode by Duhshasana, exerting himself
with great prowess. The two kings Manimat and Dandadhara, both
of whom were invincible in battle and had put forth their prowess
for their allies, have been slain by Drona. Ansumat the ruler of the
Bhojas, that mighty car-warrior at the head of his own forces, hath
been despatched to Yama’s abode by Drona exerting himself with
great prowess. Citrasena, the ruler of the sea-coast, with his son, O
Bharata, hath been forcibly despatched by Samudrasena to
Yama’s abode. Another ruler of a maritime country, viz., Nila,
and Vyaghradatta of great energy, have both, O king, been
despatched to Yama’s abode by Ashvatthama. Citrayudha and
Citrayodhin, after making a great slaughter, have both been slain
in battle by Vikarna exerting himself with great prowess and
displaying diverse manoeuvres of his car. The chief of the
31
Kaikeyas, who was equal to Vrikodara himself in battle and

surrounded by Kaikeya warriors, has been slain by Kaikeya, the
brother by the brother. Janamejaya of the hilly country, endued
with great prowess and accomplished in encounters with the
mace, hath, O king, been slain by thy son Durmukha. Those two
foremost of men, viz., the brothers Rochamana, like two brilliant
planets, have together been despatched to heaven by Drona with
his shafts. Many other kings, O monarch, endued with great
prowess, have fought (for the Pandavas) Having achieved the
most difficult feats, all of them have gone to Yama’s abode.
Purujit and Kuntibhoja, the two maternal uncles of Savyasaci,
have been despatched by Drona with shafts to such regions as are
attained by death in battle. Abhibhu the Kasis, at the head of many
of his followers, hath been obliged by Vasudana’s son to lay down
his life in battle. Yudhamanyu of immeasurable prowess, and
Uttamauja of great energy, after slaying hundreds of heroic
warriors, have themselves been slain by our men. The Pancala
prince Mitravarman, O Bharata, those two foremost of bowmen,
have been despatched to Yama’s abode by Drona. Shikhandi’s son
Kshatradeva, that foremost of warriors, possessed of great
bravery, hath, O king, been slain by thy grandson Lakshmana, O
sire! The two heroes Sucitra and Citravarman, who were sire and
son and endued with great might, and who careered fearlessly in
battle, have been slain by Drona. Vardhakshemi, O monarch, who
32
was like the ocean at full tide, having had his weapons exhausted
in battle, hath at last obtained undisturbed peace. That foremost of
Sutas, viz., Senavindu, having consumed many foes in battle,
hath, at last, O king been slain by Bahlika. Dhrishtaketu, O
monarch, that foremost of car-warriors among the Cedis, after
accomplishing the most difficult feats, hath repaired to the abode
of Yama. Similarly, the heroic Satyadhriti, endued with great
prowess, having made a great slaughter in battle for the sake of
the Pandavas, has been despatched to Yama’s abode. That lord of
Earth, viz., Suketu, the son of Shishupala, having slain many foes,
hath at last been slain by Drona in battle. Virata’s son Sankha, as
also Uttara of great strength, having accomplished the most
difficult feats, have repaired to Yama’s abode. Similarly,
Satyadhriti of the Matsyas, and Madiraswa of great energy, and
Suryadatta possessed of great prowess, have all been slain by
Drona with his shafts. Srenimat also, O monarch, having fought
with great prowess and accomplished the most difficult feats, hath
repaired to Yama’s abode. Similarly, the chief of the Magadhas,
that slayer of hostile heroes, endued with great energy and
acquainted with the highest weapons, sleepeth on the field of
battle, slain by Bhishma. Vasudana also, having made an immense
carnage in battle, has been despatched to Yama’s abode by
Bharadwaja’s son exerting himself with great prowess. These and
many other mighty car-warriors of the Pandavas have been slain
33
by Drona exerting himself with great energy. I have now told

them all that thou hadst asked me.’”
34
“Dhritarashtra said, ‘When all the foremost of my warriors, O

Sanjaya have perished, I do not think that the remnant of my army
will not perish! When those two heroes, those two mighty
bowmen, those two foremost of the Kurus, Bhishma and Drona,
have been slain, what use can I any longer have with life? I cannot
also brook the death of Radha’s son, that ornament of battle, the
might of whose arms was as great as that of 10,000 elephants! O
foremost of speakers, tell me now, O Suta, who are yet alive in
my army after the death of all the foremost heroes! Thou hast told
me the names of those that have fallen. It seems, however, to me
that those who are still alive are almost all dead!’
“Sanjaya said, ‘That hero O king, to whom Drona, that foremost

of brahmanas, imparted many blazing, celestial, and mighty
weapons of the four kinds, that mighty car-warrior, possessed of
skill and lightness of hands, that hero of firm grasp, strong
weapons, and powerful shafts, that high-souled son of Drona,
capable of shooting to a great distance, is still on the field,
desirous of battling for thy sake. That dweller of the Anarta
country, that son of Hridika, that mighty car-warrior, that
foremost one among the Satwatas, that chief of the Bhojas,
Kritavarma, accomplished in arms, is on the field, desirous of
35
battle. Artayana’s son, dauntless in battle, that first of warriors,

that foremost of all yet on thy side, he, that abandoned his own
sister’s sons, the Pandavas, for making his own words true, that
hero endued with great activity who promised in the presence of
Yudhishthira that he would in battle depress the proud spirit of
Karna, that invincible Shalya, who is equal unto Sakra himself in
energy, is still on the field, desirous of battling for thy sake.
Accompanied by his own force consisting of Ajaneyas,
Saindhavas, mountaineers, dwellers of riparian regions,
Kambojas, and Vanayus, the king of the Gandharas stayeth on the
field, desirous of battling for thy sake. Sharadvata’s son called
Gautama, O king, endued with mighty arms and capable of
fighting with diverse weapons in diverse beautiful ways, taking up
a beautiful and large bow capable of bearing great strain, stayeth
on the field, desirous of battle. That mighty car-warrior, the son of
the ruler of the Kaikeyas, riding on a goodly car equipped with
standard and goodly steeds, stayeth on the field, O chief of Kuru’s
race, for battling for thy sake. Thy son also, that foremost of
heroes in Kuru’s race, Purumitra, O king, riding on his car
possessed of the effulgence of fire or the Sun, stayeth on the field,
like the Sun himself shining brilliantly in the cloudless firmament.
Duryodhana also, endued with great energy, in the midst of an
elephant force and accompanied by many foremost of combatants,
stayeth on his car adorned with gold, desirous of engaging in
36
battle. In the midst of many kings, that foremost of men,

possessed of the splendour of a lotus, looked resplendent in his
beautiful armour of gold like a fire with little smoke or the Sun
emerged from the clouds. So also thy sons Sushena, armed with
sword and shield, and the heroic Satyasena, are staying with
Citrasena, their hearts full of joy and themselves desirous of
battle. Endued with modesty, the Bharata princes Citrayudha,
Srutavarman, and Jaya, Dala, and Satyavrata, and Dussala, all of
whom are possessed of great might, stay on the field, desirous of
battle. The ruler of the Kaitavyas, that prince proud of his
courage, and capable of fearlessly careering in battle and slaying
his foes, possessing foot-soldiers and cavalry, and elephants and
cars, stayeth on the field, desirous of battling for thy sake. The
heroic Srutayu and Srutayudha, and Citrangada and Citravarman,
those foremost of men, those proud warriors capable of smiting
effectually and possessed of sureness of aim, stay on the field,
desirous of battle. The high-souled Satyasandha, the son of Karna,
stayeth on the field, desirous of battle. Two other sons of Karna,
possessing a knowledge of high weapons and endued with great
lightness of hands, are both staying, O king, at the head of forces
that are large and incapable of being pierced by warriors of little
energy, desirous of battling for thy sake. Accompanied by these
heroes and by many other foremost of warriors, O king, that are
possessed of immeasurable might, the Kuru king (Duryodhana) is
37
staying like a second Indra in the midst of his elephant division in

expectation of victory!’
“Dhritarashtra said, ‘Thou hast told me duly all that are alive both
amongst us and the foe. From this I plainly see on which side the
victory will be. Indeed, it may be inferred from the facts.’”
Vaishampayana continued, “While saying this, Dhritarashtra the

son of Ambika, having learnt that only a small portion of his army
was alive, for all his foremost of warriors had died, felt his heart
to be exceedingly agitated by grief. The king swooned away.
Partially restored to his senses, he addressed Sanjaya, saying,
‘Wait for a moment!’ And the king said, ‘O son, having heard of
this dire calamity, my heart is greatly agitated. My senses are
being stupefied, and my limbs are about to be paralysed!’ Having
said these words, Dhritarashtra the son of Ambika, that lord of
earth, lost his senses and fell down on the earth.”
38
Janamejaya said, “Having heard of Karna’s fall and the slaughter

of his sons, what, O foremost of regenerate ones, did the king say,
after he had been a little comforted? Indeed, poignant was the
grief that he experienced, arising from the calamity that befell his
sons! Tell me, I ask thee, all that the king said on that occasion!”
Vaishampayana said, “Hearing of the slaughter of Karna that was

incredible and astounding, that was dreadful and capable of
paralysing the senses of all creatures, that looked like the downfall
of Meru, or a never-to-be-believed clouding of the intellect of the
wise Shukra, or the defeat of Indra of terrible feats at the hands of
his foes, or the falling down on the Earth of the resplendent Sun
from the firmament, or a scarcely-to-be-comprehended drying up
of the ocean, that receptacle of inexhaustible waters, or the
annihilation, perfectly astounding, of the earth, the firmament, the
points of the compass, and the waters, or the fruitlessness of acts
both virtuous and sinful, king Dhritarashtra, having earnestly
reflected for some time on it, thought that his army had been
annihilated. Thinking that other creatures also, as unslayable as
Karna, would meet with a similar fate, king Dhritarashtra the son
of Ambika, scorched with grief and sighing like a snake, with
limbs almost palsied, long breaths, highly cheerless, and filled
39
with melancholy, began to lament, saying, ‘Oh!’ and ‘Alas!’ And

the king said, ‘O Sanjaya, the heroic son of Adhiratha was endued
with the prowess of the lion or the elephant! His neck was as thick
as that of a bull, and his eyes, gait, and voice were like the bull’s!
Of limbs as hard as the thunderbolt, that young man, like a bull
never flying away from a bull, never desisted from battle even if
his foe happened to be the great Indra himself! At the sound of his
bow-string and palms and at the whizz of his arrowy showers men
and steeds and cars and elephants fled away from battle. Relying
upon that mighty-armed one, that slayer of large bands of foes,
that warrior of unfading glory, Duryodhana had provoked
hostilities with those mighty car-warriors, the sons of Pandu! How
then could Karna, that foremost of car-warriors, that tiger among
men, that hero of irresistible onset, be forcibly slain by Partha in
battle? Relying on the might of his own arms, he always
disregarded Keshava of unfading glory, and Dhananjaya, and the
Vrishnis, and all other foes! Often did he use to say unto the
foolish, avaricious crestfallen, kingdom-coveting, and afflicted
Duryodhana even such words as these, “Alone, I shall, in battle,
throw down from their foremost of cars, those two invincible
warriors united together, the wielder of sarnga and the wielder of
gandiva!” He had subjugated many invincible and mighty foes—
the Gandharas, the Madrakas, the Matsyas, the Trigartas, the
Tanganas, the Khasas, the Pancalas, the Videhas, the Kulindas,
40
the Kasi-kosalas, the Suhmas, the Angas, the Nishadhas, the

Pundras, the Kichakas, the Vatsas, the Kalingas, the Taralas, the
Asmakas, and the Rishikas. Subjugating all these brave races, by
means of his keen and whetted arrows equipped with kanka
feathers, that foremost of car-warriors, Radha’s son, had caused
all of them to pay tribute to us for the aggrandisement of
Duryodhana. Alas, how could that warrior acquainted with
celestial weapons, that protector of armies, Karna the son of
Vikartana, called also Vrisha, of mighty energy, be slain in battle
by his foes, the heroic and mighty sons of Pandu? As Indra is the
foremost of gods, Karna was the foremost of men. In the three
worlds no third person has been heard of by us to be like them.
Amongst steeds, Uccaisravas is the foremost; amongst Yakshas,
Vaishravana is the foremost; amongst celestials, Indra is the
foremost; amongst smiters, Karna was the foremost.
Unvanquished by even the most heroic and the mightiest of
monarchs, he had, Duryodhana’s aggrandisement, subjugated the
whole earth. The ruler of Magadha, having by conciliation and
honours obtained Karna for a friend, had challenged all the
Kshatriyas of the world, except the Kauravas and the Yadavas, to
battle. Hearing that Karna hath been slain by Savyasaci in single
combat, I am plunged in an ocean of woe like a wrecked vessel in
the vast deep! Indeed, hearing that that foremost of men, that best
of car-warriors, hath been slain in single combat, I am sinking in
41
an ocean of grief like a person without a raft in the sea! When, O

Sanjaya, I do not die of such grief, I think my heart is
impenetrable and made of something harder than the thunderbolt.
Hearing of the defeat and humiliation of kinsmen and relatives
and allies, who else in the world, O Suta, save my wretched self,
would not yield up his life? I desire to have poison or fire or a fall
from the summit of a mountain, I am unable, O Sanjaya, to bear
this heavy load of grief!’”
42
“Sanjaya said, ‘The world regards thee to be equal to Yayati the

son of Nahusha, in beauty, birth, fame, asceticism, and learning!
Indeed, in learning, thou art, O king, like a great rishi, highly
accomplished and crowned with success! Summon thy fortitude!
Do not yield to grief!’
“Dhritarashtra said, ‘I think destiny is supreme, and exertion

fruitless since even Karna, who was like a shala tree, hath been
slain in battle! Having slaughtered Yudhishthira’s army and the
large throngs of the Pancala car-warriors, having scorched all the
points of the compass by means of his arrowy showers, having
stupefied the Parthas in battle like the wielder of the thunderbolt
stupefying the asuras, alas, how could that mighty car-warrior,
slain by the foe, fall down on the earth like a large tree uprooted
by the tempest? Indeed, I do not behold the end of my sorrows
like a drowning man unable to see the end of the ocean. My
anxieties are increasing, I do not desire to live, hearing of Karna’s
death and Phalguni’s victory! Indeed O Sanjaya, I regard the
slaughter of Karna to be highly incredible. Without doubt, this
hard heart of mine is made of the essence of adamant, for it does
not burst into a 1,000 fragments upon hearing of the fall of Karna!
Without doubt, the gods ordained, before (my birth), a very long
43
life for me, since sore distressed on hearing of the death of Karna,
I do not die! Fie, O Sanjaya, on this life of one that is destitute of
friends. Brought today, O Sanjaya, to this wretched plight,
miserably shall I have to live, of foolish understanding that I am,
pitied by all! Having formerly been the honoured of the whole
world, how shall I, O Suta, live, overridden by foes? From pain to
greater pain and calamity, have I come, O Sanjaya, in
consequence of the fall of Bhishma and Drona and the high-
souled Karna! I do not see that anyone (of my army) will escape
with life when the Suta’s son hath been slain in battle! He was the
great raft, O Sanjaya, to my sons! That hero, having shot
innumerable arrows, hath been slain in battle! What use have I of
life, without that bull among men? Without doubt, the son of
Adhiratha, afflicted with arrows, fell down from his car, like a
mountain-peak riven by the fall of thunder! Without doubt, bathed
in blood, he lieth, adorning the Earth, like an elephant slain by an
infuriate prince of elephants! He who was the strength of the
Dhartarashtras, he who was an object of fear to the sons of Pandu,
alas, he viz., Karna, that pride of all bowman, hath been slain by
Arjuna! He was a hero, a mighty bowman, the dispeller of the
fears of my sons! Alas, that hero, reft of life, lieth (on the earth),
like mountain struck down by Indra! The fulfilment of
Duryodhana’s wishes is even like locomotion to one that is lame,
or the gratification of the poor man’s desire, or stray drops of
44
water to one that is thirsty! Planned in one way, our schemes end
otherwise. Alas, destiny is all powerful, and time incapable of
being transgressed! Was my son Duhshasana, O Suta, slain, while
flying away from the field, humbled (to the dust), of cheerless
soul, and destitute of all manliness? O son, O Sanjaya, I hope he
did no dastardly act on that occasion? Did not that hero meet with
his death like the other kshatriyas that have fallen? The foolish
Duryodhana did not accept Yudhishthira’s constant advice,
wholesome as medicine, against the propriety of battle. Possessed
of great renown, Partha, when begged for drink by Bhishma then
lying on his arrowy bed, pierced the surface of the earth!
Beholding the jet of water caused by the son of Pandu, the
mighty-armed (Bhishma, addressing Duryodhana), said, “O sire,
make peace with the Pandavas! Hostilities ceasing, peace will be
thine! Let the war between thyself and thy cousins end with me!
Enjoy the earth in brotherliness with the sons of Pandu!” Having
disregarded those counsels, my child is certainly repenting now.
That has now come to pass which Bhishma of great foresight said.
As regards myself, O Sanjaya, I am destitute of counsellors and
reft of sons! In consequence of gambling, I am fallen into great
misery like a bird shorn of its wings! As children engaged in
sport, O Sanjaya, having seized a bird and cut off its wings,
merrily release it, but the creature cannot achieve locomotion in
consequence of its winglessness; even so have I become, like a
45
bird shorn of its wings! Weak, destitute of every resource, without

kinsmen and deprived of relatives and friends, cheerless and
overpowered by enemies, to which point of the compass shall I
go? He who vanquished all the Kambojas and the Amvashthas
with the Kaikeyas, that puissant one, who, having for the
accomplishment of his purpose vanquished the Gandharas and the
Videhas in battle, subjugated the whole Earth for the sake of
Duryodhana’s aggrandisement, alas, he hath been vanquished by
the heroic and strong Pandavas endued with mighty arms! Upon
the slaughter, in battle, of that mighty bowman, Karna, by the
diadem-decked (Arjuna), tell me, O Sanjaya, who were these
heroes that stayed (on the field)! I hope he was not alone and
abandoned (by friends) when slain in battle by the Pandavas?
Thou hast, O sire, told me, before this, how our brave warriors
have fallen. With his powerful shafts Shikhandi felled in battle
that foremost of all wielders of weapons, viz., Bhishma, who did
nothing to repel the attack. Similarly, Sanjaya, Drupada’s son
Dhrishtadyumna, uplifting his scimitar, slew the mighty bowman
Drona who, already pierced with many arrows, had laid aside his
weapons in battle and devoted himself to Yoga. These two were
both slain at a disadvantage and especially by deceit. Even this is
what I have heard about the slaughter of Bhishma and Drona!
Indeed, Bhishma and Drona, while contending in fight, were
incapable of being slain in battle by the wielder of the thunderbolt
46
himself by fair means. This that I tell thee is the truth! As regards
Karna, how, indeed, could Death touch him, that hero equal unto
Indra himself, while he was engaged in shooting his manifold
celestial weapons? He unto whom in exchange for his earrings,
Purandara had given that foe slaying, gold-decked, and celestial
dart of the splendour of lightning,--he who had, lying (within his
quiver) amid sandal-dust, that snake-mouthed celestial arrow
decked with gold, equipped with goodly wings, and capable of
slaying all foes, he who, disregarding those heroic and mighty car-
warriors having Bhishma and Drona at their head, had acquired
from Jamadagni’s son the terrible brahmastra, that mighty-armed
one, who, having seen the warriors with Drona at their head
afflicted with arrows and turn away from the field, had cut off
with his keen shafts the bow of Subhadra’s son, he who, having in
a trice deprived the invincible Bhimasena endued with the might
of 10,000 elephants and the speed of the wind, of his car, had
laughed at him,--he who, having vanquished Sahadeva by means
of his straight shafts and made him carless, slew him not from
compassion and considerations of virtue,--he who, with Shakra’s
dart, slew that prince of rakshasas, Ghatotkaca, who from desire
of victory, had invoked a 1,000 kinds of illusions,--he whose feats
in battle, filling Dhananjaya with fear, had made the latter for such
a long period avoid a single combat with him,--alas, how could
that hero be slain in battle? How could he be slain by foes unless
47
one of these had happened to him viz., the destruction of his car,
the snapping of his bow, and the exhaustion of his weapons? Who
could vanquish that tiger among men, like a real tiger, endued
with great impetuosity, Karna, while shaking his formidable bow
and shooting therefrom his terrible shafts and celestial weapons in
battle? Surely, his bow broke, or his car sank in the earth, or his
weapons became exhausted, since thou tellest me that he is slain! I
do not, indeed, see any other cause for (explaining) his slaughter!
That high-souled one who had made the terrible vow “I will not
wash my feet till I slay Phalguni,” that warrior through whose fear
that bull among men, king Yudhishthira the just, had not, in the
wilderness, for thirteen years continuously, obtained a wink of
sleep,--that high-souled hero of great prowess relying upon whose
valour my son had forcibly dragged the wife of the Pandavas to
the assembly, and there in the midst of that conclave, in the very
sight of the Pandavas and in the presence of the Kurus, had
addressed the princess of Pancala as the wife of slaves, that hero
of the Suta caste, who in the midst of the assembly had addressed
Krishna, saying, “All thy husbands, O Krishna, that are even like
sesamum seeds without kernel, are no more, therefore, seek some
other husband, O thou of the fairest complexion!” and in wrath
had caused her to listen to other expressions equally harsh and
rude, how was that hero slain by the foe? He who had said unto
Duryodhana even these words, viz., “If Bhishma who boasteth of
48
his prowess in battle or Drona who is invincible in fight, doth not,

from partiality, slay the sons of Kunti, O Duryodhana, even I will
slay them all, let the fever of thy heart be dispelled!” who also
said, “What will (Arjuna’s) gandiva and the two inexhaustible
quivers do to that shaft of mine, smeared with cool sandal-paste,
when it will course through the welkin?” alas, how could that
warrior possessed of shoulders broad as those of the bull be slain
by Arjuna? He who, disregarding the fierce touch of the arrows
shot from gandiva had addressed Krishna, saying, “Thou hast no
husbands now” and glared at the Pandavas, he who, O Sanjaya,
relying on the might of his own arms, had entertained no fear, for
even a moment, of the Parthas with their sons and Janardana,--he,
I think, could not possibly meet with death at the hands of the
very gods with Vasava at their head rushing against him in fury,
what then need I say, O sire, of the Pandavas? The person could
not be seen competent to stay before the son of Adhiratha, while
the latter, putting on his fences, used to touch the bowstring! It
was possible for the Earth to be destitute of the splendour of the
Sun, of the Moon, or of fire, but the death of that foremost of men,
who never retreated from battle, could not be possible. That
foolish child of mine, of wicked understanding, who having got
Karna, as also his brother Duhshasana, for his ally, had made up
his mind for the rejection of Vasudeva’s proposals, surely, that
wight, beholding the slaughter of the bull-shouldered Karna and
49
of Duhshasana, is now indulging in lamentations! Seeing

Vikartana’s son slain in single combat by Savyasaci, and the
Pandavas crowned with victory, what indeed, did Duryodhana
say? Seeing Durmarshana slain in battle and Vrishasena also, and
seeing his host break when slaughtered by mighty car-warriors,
beholding also the kings (of his army) turn back their faces, intent
on flight, and his car-warriors already fled, I think that son of
mine is now indulging in lamentations! Beholding his host
dispirited, what, indeed, did the ungovernable, proud, and foolish
Duryodhana, with passions not under control, say? Having
himself provoked such fierce hostility though dissuaded by all his
friends what, indeed, did Duryodhana, who has suffered a great
loss in battle of friends and followers, say? Beholding his brother
slain in battle by Bhimasena, and upon his blood being drunk,
what indeed, did Duryodhana say? My son had, with the ruler of
the gandharvas, said, “Karna will slay Arjuna in battle!” When he
saw that Karna slain, what indeed, did he say? What, O sire, did
Shakuni, the son of Subala, who had formerly been filled with joy
after going through the match at dice and cheating the son of
Pandu, say when he saw Karna slain? What did that mighty car-
warrior among the Satwatas, that great bowman, Kritavarma the
son of Hridika, say when he saw Vaikartana slain? Endued with
youth, possessed of a handsome form, agreeable to the sight, and
celebrated throughout the world, what, O Sanjaya, did
50
Ashvatthama, the intelligent son of Drona, upon whom brahmanas

and kshatriyas and vaishyas who are desirous of acquiring the
science of arms wait, for protections, say when he saw Karna
slain? What did Sharadvata’s son Kripa, O sire, of Gotama’s race,
that foremost of car-warriors, that teacher of the science of arms,
say when he saw Karna slain? What did the mighty leader of the
Madras warriors, that king of the Madras, the great bowman
Shalya of the Sauvira clan, that ornament of assemblies, that
foremost of car-warriors (temporarily) engaged in driving the car,
say when he saw Karna slain? What also did all the other
warriors, difficult of defeat in battle, those lords of earth that came
to fight, say, O Sanjaya, when they behold Vaikartana slain? After
the fall of the heroic Drona, that tiger among car-warriors that bull
among men, who, O Sanjaya, became the heads of the several
division in their order? Tell me, O Sanjaya, how that foremost of
car-warriors, Shalya the ruler of the Madras, became engaged in
driving the car of Vaikartana! Who were they that guarded the
right wheel of the Suta’s son while the latter was engaged in fight,
and who were they that guarded his left wheel, and who were they
that stood at the rear of that hero? Who were those heroes that did
not desert Karna, and who were those mean fellows that ran
away? How was the mighty car-warrior Karna slain amidst your
united selves? How also did those mighty car-warriors, the brave
Pandavas, advance against him shooting showers of shafts like the
51
clouds pouring torrents of rain? Tell me also, O Sanjaya, how that

mighty shaft, celestial and foremost of its species, and equipped
with a head like that of a serpent became futile! I do not, O
Sanjaya, see the possibility of even a small remnant of my
cheerless host being saved when its leaders have been crushed!
Hearing of the slaughter of those two heroes, those two mighty
bowmen, Bhishma and Drona, who were ever ready to lay down
their lives for my sake, what use have I of life? Again and again I
am unable to endure that Karna, the might of whose arms equalled
that of 10,000 elephants, should be slain by the Pandavas! Tell
me, O Sanjaya, all that occurred in the battle between the brave
warriors of the Kauravas and their foes, after the death of Drona!
Tell me also how the sons of Kunti fought the battle with Karna,
and how that slayer of foes received his quietus in the fight!’”
52
10
“Sanjaya said, ‘After the fall of the mighty bowman Drona on that
day, O Bharata, and after the purpose had been baffled of that
mighty car-warriors, viz., the son of Drona, and after the vasty
army, O monarch, of the Kauravas had fled away, Partha, having
arrayed his own troops, stayed on the field with his brothers.
Perceiving him staying on the field, thy son, O bull of Bharata’s
race, seeing his own army running away, rallied them with great
courage. Having caused his divisions to take up their stand, thy
son, O Bharata, relying on the might of his arms, fought for a long
time with his foes, the Pandavas, who, having gained their end,
were filled with joy and had been struggling for hours together.
On the approach there of the evening twilight, he caused the
troops to be withdrawn. Having caused the withdrawal of their
troops, and having entered their own encampment, the Kauravas
held with one another a consultation about their own welfare,
seated like the celestials on costly couches overlaid with rich
coverlets, and on excellent seats and luxurious beds. Then king
Duryodhana, addressing those mighty bowmen in agreeable and
highly sweet expression, spoke the following words suited to the
occasion.
53
“’Duryodhana said, “Ye foremost of intelligent men, declare all of

you, without delay, your opinions! Under these circumstances, ye
kings, what is necessary and what is still more necessary?’”
“Sanjaya continued, ‘When that prince of men had spoken those

words, those lions among men, seated on their thrones, made
various gestures expressive of their desire of battle. Observing the
indications of those who were all desirous of pouring their lives as
libations on the battle-fire, and beholding the monarch’s face
radiant as morning Sun, the preceptor’s son endued with
intelligence and accomplished in speech, said these words:
“Enthusiasm, opportunity, skill and policy,--these are the means
declared by the learned, to be capable of accomplishing all ends.
They are, however, dependent on destiny. Those foremost of men
we had on our side, equal unto the celestials, mighty car-warriors
all, possessed of policy, devoted, accomplished, and loyal, have
been slain. For all that we should not despair of victory. If all
these means be properly applied, even destiny may be made
propitious. All of us, therefore, O Bharata, shall install Karna, that
foremost of men, endued besides with every accomplishment, in
the command of the army! Making Karna our commander, we
shall crush our foes. This Karna is endued with great might; he is
a hero, accomplished in weapons, and incapable of defeat in
battle. Irresistible as Yama himself, he is quite competent to
vanquish our foes in battle!” Hearing these words from the
54
preceptor’s son, O king, at that time, built great hopes on Karna.

Cherishing the hope in his heart that after the fall of Bhishma and
Drona, Karna would vanquish the Pandavas, and comforted (by
it), O Bharata, Duryodhana then, filled with joy at having heard
those words of Ashvatthama, steadying his mind and relying on
the might of his arms, said unto Radha’s son, O monarch, these
words that were fraught with affection and regard, and that were
true, delightful, and beneficial to himself: “O Karna, I know thy
prowess, and the great friendship thou bearest to me! For all that,
O mighty-armed one, I shall address the certain words that are for
my good! Having heard them, O hero, do that which may appear
desirable to thee!
Thou art endued with great wisdom, and thou art even my
supreme refuge! Those two Atirathas that were my Generals, viz.,
Bhishma and Drona, have been slain. Be thou my General, thou
that art mightier than they! Both of those great bowmen were
advanced in years. They were, besides, partial to Dhananjaya. Still
both those heroes were respected by me, O son of Radha, at thy
word! Viewing his relationship of grandsire unto them, the sons of
Pandu, O sire, were spared in dreadful battle by Bhishma for ten
successive days! Thyself also having laid aside thy weapons, the
valiant Bhishma was slain in great battle by Phalguni with
Shikhandi before him! After that great bowman had fallen and
betaken himself to his bed of arrows, it was at thy word, O tiger
55
among men, that Drona was made our leader! By him also were
the sons of Pritha spared, in consequence, as I think, of their
relationship unto him of pupils. That old man also has been slain
by Dhrishtadyumna more speedily. I do not see, even on
reflection, another warrior equal to thee in battle,--thee, that is,
whose prowess could not be measured by even those two foremost
of warriors that have been slain in the fight! Without doubt, thou
alone today art competent to win victory for us! Before, in the
middle, and later on, thou hast accordingly acted for our good.
Therefore, like a leader, it behoveth thee, in this battle, to bear the
burden thyself. Thyself install thy own self in the Generalship.
Like the celestial generalissimo, the lord Skanda of unfading
prowess, (supporting the celestial army), do thou support this
Dhartarashtra host! Like Mahendra slaying the Danavas, destroy
thou all the throngs of our foes! Beholding thee staying in battle,
the Pandavas, those mighty car-warriors, will, with the Pancalas,
fly away from battle, like the Danavas at sight of Vishnu. Do thou,
therefore lead this vast force! When thou shalt stand resolved on
the field, the Pandavas of wicked hearts, the Pancalas, and the
Srinjayas, will all fly away with their friends. As the risen Sun,
scorching everything by his energy, destroyeth the thick gloom,
even so do thou destroy our foes!’”
“Sanjaya continued, ‘Strong became that hope, O king, in the

heart of thy son, viz., that where Bhishma and Drona had been
56
slain, Karna would vanquish the Pandavas. Cherishing that hope

within his heart, he said unto Karna, “O Suta’s son, Partha never
wishes to fight, standing before thee!” Karna said, “I have, O son
of Gandhari, said before in thy presence, even these words,
vanquish all the Pandavas with their sons and Janardana!’ I shall
become thy General. In this there is no doubt. Tranquilise thyself,
O monarch I Consider the Pandavas to be already vanquished!’”
“Sanjaya continued, ‘Thus addressed, O monarch, king

Duryodhana then stood up with all the monarchs, like He of a
hundred sacrifices with the gods, for honouring Karna with the
command of the army, like the celestials for honouring Skanda.
Then, O monarch, all the kings headed by Duryodhana, desirous
of victory, installed Karna in the command, according to the rites
enjoined by the ordinance. With golden and earthen jars filled to
the brim with water and sanctified with mantras, with tusks of
elephants and horns of rhinoceroses and mighty bulls, with other
vessels decked with jewels and gems, with also fragrant herbs and
plants, and with other articles collected in abundance, Karna,
seated at his ease on a seat made of udumvara wood and overlaid
with silken cloth, was invested with the command, according to
the rites in the scriptures. Brahmanas, kshatriyas, vaishyas, and
respectable shudras, praised that high-souled one after he was
bathed on that excellent seat. Thus installed in the command, O
king, that slayer of foes, the son of Radha, caused, by presents of
57
Niskas and kine and other wealth, many foremost of brahmanas to

utter blessings on him. “Vanquish the Parthas with Govinda and
all their followers,” even these were the words that the eulogists
and the brahmanas said (unto him), O bull among men! (And they
also said) “Slay the Parthas and the Pancalas, O son of Radha, for
our victory, like risen Sun ever destroying Darkness with his
fierce rays! The son of Pandu with Keshava are not able to even
look at the shafts shot by thee, like owls unable to gaze at the
burning rays of the Sun! The Parthas with the Pancalas are
incapable of standing before thee armed with weapons, like the
danavas before Indra in battle!” Installed in the command,
Radha’s son of incomparable splendour looked resplendent in
beauty and radiance like a second Sun. Having installed the son of
Radha (thus) in the command of the army, thy son, urged on by
Death, regarded himself as one who had his purpose
accomplished. That chastiser of foes, Karna, also, O king, having
obtained the command, ordered the troops to be arrayed, at the
rise of the Sun. Surrounded by thy sons, O Bharata, Karna looked
resplendent like Skanda surrounded by the celestials, in the battle
having Saraka for its evil root.’”
58
11
“Dhritarashtra said, ‘After having obtained the command of the

army, and after he had been addressed by the king himself in those
sweet and brotherly words, and after he had ordered the troops to
be arrayed at the hour of sunrise, tell me, O Sanjaya, what did
Vikartana’s son Karna do?’
“Sanjaya said, ‘Having learnt Karna’s wishes, thy sons, O bull of

Bharata’s race, ordered the troops to be arrayed with joyful music.
While it still wanted a long period for the coming of the dawn, a
loud noise of “Array, Array!” O king, suddenly arose among thy
troops. And the uproar that arose, became tremendous and
touched the very heavens, of foremost of elephants and fenced
cars while under process of equipment, of foot-soldiers and steeds,
O monarch, while putting on their armour or in course of being
harnessed, and of combatants moving with activity and shouting
unto one another! Then the Suta’s son bearing a gold-backed bow
appeared (on the field) in his car possessed of the splendour of the
radiant Sun, crowned with many banners, equipped with a white
standard, with steeds of the hue of cranes, bearing the device of
the elephants’ rope, filled with a hundred quivers, furnished with
mace and wooden fence, freighted with shataghnis and rows of
bells and darts and lances and spears, and supplied with many
59
bows. And the Suta’s son appeared on the field, blowing his
conch, O king; decorated with a net-work of gold, and shaking his
formidable bow adorned with pure gold. Beholding the mighty
bowman Karna, that foremost of car-warriors, seated on his car,
difficult of approach and resembling the risen Sun that destroys
the gloom, none amongst the Kauravas, O tiger among men,
recked, O sire, the loss of Bhishma or Drona or other men!
Speeding the warriors, O sire, with the blasts of his conch, Karna
caused the vast army of the Kauravas to be drawn out. Having
arrayed the troops in the makara array, that mighty bowman, that
scorcher of foes, viz., Karna, proceeded against the Pandavas from
desire of victory. In the tip of the beak of that makara, O king, was
stationed Karna himself. In the two eyes were the brave Shakuni
and the mighty car-warrior Uluka. In the head was Drona’s son
and in the neck were all the uterine brothers. In the middle was
king Duryodhana supported by a large force. In the left foot, O
monarch, was stationed Kritavarma accompanied by the Narayana
troops, and those invincible warriors, the gopalas. In the right
foot, O king, was Gotama’s son of prowess incapable of being
baffled, surrounded by those mighty bowmen viz., the Trigartas
and by the Southerners. In the left hind-foot was stationed Shalya
with a large force raised in the country of Madras. In the right
(hind-foot), O monarch, was Sushena of true vows, surrounded by
a 1,000 cars and 300 elephants. In the tail were the two royal
60
brothers of mighty energy, viz., Citra and Citrasena surrounded by

a large force.
“’When, O great king, that foremost of men, Karna, thus came

out, king Yudhishthira the just, casting his eyes on Arjuna, said
these words:
“Behold, O Partha, how the Dhartarashtra force, O hero, in this

battle, protected by heroes and mighty car-warriors, hath been
arrayed by Karna! This vast Dhartarashtra force hath lost its
bravest warriors. They that remain, O mighty-armed one, are
feeble, equal, as I think, to straw! Only one great bowman, viz.,
the Suta’s son, shineth in it! That foremost of car-warriors is
incapable of being vanquished by the three worlds with their
mobile and immobile creatures, including the gods, Asuras and
Gandharvas, and the Kinnaras and great serpents! If thou slayest
him today, O mighty-armed one, the victory will be thine, O
Phalguna! The thorn also which for twelve years hath been
planted in my heart will then be plucked out! Knowing this, O
thou of mighty arms, form thou the array that thou wishest!”
Hearing those words of his brother, that Pandava of the white
steeds disposed his army in counter array after the form of the half
moon. On the left side was stationed Bhimasena, and on the right
was stationed the great bowman Dhrishtadyumna. In the middle of
the array were the king and Dhananjaya the son of Pandu. Nakula
61
and Sahadeva were at the rear of king Yudhishthira the just. The
two Pancala princes, Yudhamanyu and Uttamauja, became the
protectors of (Arjuna’s) car wheels. Protected by the diadem-
decked Arjuna himself, they did not quit Arjuna for a moment.
The remaining kings, possessed of great courage, clad in mail,
stood in the array, each in the position assigned to him, according
to the measure of his enthusiasm and resolution, O Bharata.
Having thus formed their great array, O Bharata, the Pandavas,
and the mighty bowmen of thy army set their hearts on battle.
Beholding thy army disposed into battle array by the Suta’s son in
battle Duryodhana with all his brethren regarded the Pandavas to
be already slain. Similarly Yudhishthira, O king, beholding the
Pandava army disposed in array, regarded the Dhartarashtras with
Karna to be already slain. Then conches, and kettle-drums, and
tabours, and large drums, and cymbals, and Dindimas, and
Jharjharas, were loudly blown and beaten on all sides! Indeed,
those loud-sounding instruments were blown and beaten, O king,
among both the armies. Leonine roars also arose, uttered by brave
warriors for victory. And there also arose, O king, the noise of
neighing steeds and grunting elephants, and the fierce clatter of
car-wheels. None, O Bharata, (in the Kaurava army), at that time,
felt the loss of Drona, seeing the great bowman Karna clad in mail
and stationed at the head of the array. Both armies, O monarch,
teeming with joyous men, stood, eager for battle and (ready) to
62
destroy each other without delay. There, the two heroes, viz.,
Karna and the son of Pandu, excited with wrath at sight of each
other, and both firmly resolved, stood or careered, O king, through
their respective divisions. The two armies, as they advanced to
meet each other, seemed to dance (in joy). From the wings and the
side-wings of both, warriors desirous of battle came forth. Then
commenced the battle, O monarch, of men, elephants, steeds, and
cars, engaged in destroying one another.’”
63
12
“Sanjaya said, ‘Then those two vast armies, teeming with

rejoicing men and steeds and elephants, resembling in splendour
the celestial and the Asura hosts, meeting together, began to strike
each other. Men, cars, steeds, elephants, and foot-soldiers of fierce
prowess, made sturdy strokes destructive of bodies and sin. Lion-
like men strewed the Earth with the heads of lion-like men, each
resembling the full moon or the sun in splendour and the lotus in
fragrance. Combatants cut off the heads of combatants, with
crescent-shaped and broad-headed shafts and razor-faced arrows
and axes, and battle-axes. The arms of men of long and massive
arms, cut off by men of long and massive arms, falling upon the
Earth, shone, decked with weapons and bracelets. With those
writhing arms adorned with red fingers and palms, the Earth
looked resplendent as if strewn with fierce five-headed snakes
slain by Garuda. From elephants and cars and steeds, brave
warriors fell down, struck by foes, like the denizens of heaven
from their celestial cars on the exhaustion of their merits. Other
brave warriors fell down by hundreds, crushed in that battle by
brave combatants with heavy maces spiked clubs and short
bludgeons. Cars also, in that tumultuous fight, were crushed by
cars, and infuriate elephants by infuriate compeers, and horsemen
64
by horsemen. Men destroyed by cars, and cars by elephants, and

horsemen by foot-soldiers, and foot-soldiers by horsemen,
dropped down on the field, as also cars and steeds and foot-
soldiers destroyed by elephants and cars and steeds and elephants
by foot-soldiers, and cars and foot-soldiers and elephants by
steeds and men and elephants by cars. Great was the carnage
made of car-warriors and steeds and elephants and men by men
and steeds and elephants and car-warriors, using their hands and
feet and weapons and cars. When that host was being thus struck
and slain by heroic warriors the Parthas, headed by Vrikodara,
advanced against us. They consisted of Dhrishtadyumna and
Shikhandi and the five sons of Draupadi and the Prabhadrakas,
and Satyaki and Chekitana with the Dravida forces, and the
Pandyas, the Cholas, and the Keralas, surrounded by a mighty
array, all possessed of broad chests, long arms, tall statures, and
large eyes. Decked with ornaments, possessed of red teeth,
endued with the prowess of infuriate elephants, attired in robes of
diverse colours, smeared with powdered scents, armed with
swords and nooses, capable of restraining mighty elephants,
companions in death, and never deserting one another, equipped
with quivers, bearing bows adorned with long locks, and
agreeable in speech were the combatants of the infantry files led
by Satyaki, belonging to the Andhra tribe, endued with fierce
forms and great energy. Other brave warriors such as the Cedis,
65
the Pancalas, the Kaikayas, the Karushas, the Kosalas, the

Kanchis, and the Maghadhas, also rushed forward. Their cars and
steeds and elephants, all of the foremost kind, and their fierce
foot-soldiers, gladdened by the notes of diverse instruments,
seemed to dance and laugh. In the midst of that vast force, came
Vrikodara, riding on the neck of an elephant, and surrounded by
many foremost of elephant-soldiers, advancing against thy army.
That fierce and foremost of elephants, duly equipped, looked
resplendent, like the stone-built mansion on the top of the Udaya
mountain, crowned with the risen Sun. Its armour of iron, the
foremost of its kind, studded with costly gems, was as resplendent
as the autumnal firmament bespangled with stars. With a lance in
his outstretched arm, his head decked with a beautiful diadem, and
possessed of the splendour of the meridian Sun at autumn, Bhima
began to burn his foes. Beholding that elephant from a distance,
Kshemadhurti, himself on an elephant, challenging, rushed
cheerfully towards Bhima who was more cheerful still. An
encounter then took place between those two elephants of fierce
forms resembling two huge hills topped with trees, each, fighting
with the other as it liked. Those two heroes, then, whose
elephants thus encountered each other, forcibly struck each other
with lances endued with the splendour of solar rays, and uttered
loud roars. Separating, they then careered in circles with their
elephants, and each taking up a bow began to strike the other.
66
Gladdening the people around with their loud roars and the slaps
on their armpits and the whizz of this arrows, they continued to
utter leonine shouts. Endued with great strength, both of them,
accomplished in weapons, fought, using their elephants with
upturned trunks and decked with banners floating on the wind.
Then each cutting off the other’s bow, they roared at each other,
and rained on each other showers of darts and lances like two
masses of clouds in the rainy season pouring torrents of rain. Then
Kshemadhurti pierced Bhimasena in the centre of the chest with a
lance endued with great impetuosity, and then with six others, and
uttered a loud shout. With those lances sticking to his body,
Bhimasena, whose form then blazed with wrath, looked
resplendent like the cloud-covered Sun with his rays issuing
through the interstices of that canopy. Then Bhima carefully
hurled at his antagonist a lance bright as the rays of the Sun,
coursing perfectly straight, and made entirely of iron. The ruler of
the Kulutas then, drawing his bow, cut off that lance with ten
shafts and then pierced the son of Pandu with sixty shafts. Then
Bhima the son of Pandu, taking up a bow whose twang resembled
the roar of the clouds, uttered a loud shout and deeply afflicted
with his shafts the elephants of his antagonist. Thus afflicted in
that battle by Bhimasena with his arrows, that elephant, though
sought to be restrained, stayed not on the field like a wind-blown
cloud. The fierce prince of elephants owned by Bhima then
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pursued his (flying) compeer, like a wind-blown mass of clouds

pursuing another mass driven by the tempest. Restraining his own
elephant valiant Kshemadhurti pierced with his shafts the
pursuing elephant of Bhimasena. Then with a well-shot razor-
headed arrow that was perfectly straight, Kshemadhurti cut off his
antagonist’s bow and then afflicted that hostile elephant. Filled
with wrath, Kshemadhurti then, in that battle, pierced Bhima and
struck his elephant with many long shafts in every vital part. That
huge elephant of Bhima then fell down, O Bharata! Bhima,
however, who had jumped down from his elephant and stood on
the Earth before the fall of the beast, then crushed the elephant of
his antagonist with his mace. And Vrikodara then struck
Kshemadhurti also, who, jumped down from his crushed elephant,
was advancing against him with uplifted weapon. Kshemadhurti,
thus struck, fell down lifeless, with the sword in his arm, by the
side of his elephant, like a lion struck down by thunder beside a
thunder-riven hill. Beholding the celebrated king of the Kulutas
slain, thy troops, O bull of Bharata’s race exceedingly distressed,
fled away.’”
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13
“Sanjaya said, ‘Then the mighty and heroic bowman Karna began
to smite the Pandava army in that battle, with his straight shafts.
Similarly, those great car-warriors, viz., the Pandavas, O king,
filled with wrath, began to smite the army of thy son in the very
sight of Karna. Karna also, O king, in that battle slew the Pandava
army with his cloth-yard shafts bright as the rays of the Sun and
polished by the hands of the smith. There, O Bharata, the
elephants, struck by Karna with his shafts, uttered loud cries, lost
strength, became faint, and wandered on all sides. While the army
was being thus destroyed by the Suta’s son, Nakula rushed with
speed against that mighty car-warrior. And Bhimasena rushed
against Drona’s son who was engaged in the accomplishment of
the most difficult feats. Satyaki checked the Kaikaya princes
Vinda and Anuvinda. King Citrasena rushed against the
advancing Srutakarman; and Prativindhya against Citra owning a
beautiful standard and a beautiful bow. Duryodhana rushed
against king Yudhishthira the son of Dharma; while Dhananjaya
rushed against the angry throngs of the samsaptakas. In that
slaughter of great heroes, Dhrishtadyumna proceeded against
Kripa. The invincible Shikhandi closed with Kritavarma.
Srutakirti encountered Shalya, and Madri’s son, the valiant
69
Sahadeva, O king, encountered thy son Duhshasana. The two

Kaikaya princes, in that battle, shrouded Satyaki with a shower of
blazing arrows, and the latter also, O Bharata, shrouded the two
Kaikaya brothers. Those two heroic brothers deeply struck Satyaki
in the chest like two elephants striking with their tusks a hostile
compeer in the forest. Indeed, O king, those two brothers, in that
battle, their own vitals pierced with shafts, pierced Satyaki of true
deeds with their shafts. Satyaki, however, O great king, covering
all the points of the compass with a shower of arrows and smiling
the while, checked the two brothers, O Bharata. Checked by those
showers of arrows shot by the grandson of Sini, the two brothers
speedily shrouded the car of Sini’s grandson with their shafts.
Cutting off their beautiful bows, Saurin of great fame checked
them both with his keen arrows in that battle. Taking up two other
beautiful bows, and a number of powerful shafts, the two began to
cover Satyaki and career with great activity and skill. Shot by the
two brothers, those mighty shafts equipped with the feathers of the
Kanka and the peacock and decked with gold, began to fall,
illumining all the points of the compass. In that dreadful battle
between them, O king, the arrows they shot caused a darkness
there. Those mighty car-warriors then cut off each other’s bows.
Then the invincible Satwata, O king, filled with rage, took up
another bow in that battle, and stringing it, cut off Anuvinda’s
head with a keen razor-headed shaft. Decked with earrings, that
70
large head, O king, fell like the head of Samvara slain in the great
battle (of old). And it reached the Earth in no time, filling all the
Kaikayas with grief. Beholding that brave warrior slain, his
brother, the mighty car-warrior Vinda, stringing another bow
began to resist the grandson of Sini from every side. Piercing
with sixty arrows equipped with wings of gold and whetted on
stone, he uttered a loud shout and said, “Wait, Wait!” Then that
mighty car-warrior of the Kaikayas speedily struck Satyaki with
many thousands of shafts in his arms and chest. All his limbs
wounded with arrows, Satyaki, of prowess incapable of being
baffled, looked resplendent in that battle, O king, like a flowering
Kinsuka. Pierced by the high-souled Kaikaya in that encounter,
Satyaki, with the greatest ease, pierced the Kaikaya (in return)
with five and twenty arrows. Then those two foremost of car-
warriors, having each cut off the other’s handsome bow in that
encounter, and having each quickly slain the other’s driver and
steeds approached each other on foot for a fight with swords. Both
endued with massive arms, they looked resplendent on that
extensive arena, each having taken up a shield decked with a
hundred moons, and each armed with an excellent sword, like
Jambha and Sakra, both endued with great might, in the battle
between the gods and the Asuras (of old). Both of them, in that
great battle, then began to career in circles. And then they speedily
encountered each other in battle, each approaching the other near.
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And each of them made great efforts for the destruction of the
other. Then Satwata cut in twain the shield of Kaikeya. The latter
also, O king, cut in twain the shield of Satyaki. Having cut off his
antagonist’s shield covered with centuries of stars, Kaikeya began
to career in circles, advancing and receding (at times). Then the
grandson of Sini, endued with great activity, cut off by a
sidestroke the prince of the Kaikeyas thus careering in that great
arena armed with excellent sword. Cased in armour that great
bowman, viz., the Kaikeya prince, O king, thus cut off in twain in
that great battle, fell down like a hill riven with thunder. Having
slain him in battle that foremost of car-warriors that scorcher of
foes, viz., the brave grandson of Sini quickly got upon the car of
Yudhamanyu. Afterwards riding upon another car duly equipped
(with everything), Satyaki began to slay with his shafts the large
force of the Kaikeyas. The vast army of the Kaikeyas, thus
slaughtered in battle, leaving that foe of theirs fled away on all
sides.’”
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14
“Sanjaya said, ‘Srutakarman then, O king, filled with wrath,

struck that lord of Earth, viz., Citrasena, in that battle, with fifty
shafts. The ruler of the Abhisars (in return), striking Srutakarman,
O king, with nine straight arrows, pierced his driver with five.
Srutakarman then, filled with rage, struck Citrasena at the head of
his forces, with a keen arrow in a vital part. Deeply pierced, O
monarch, with that arrow by that high-souled prince the heroic
Citrasena felt great pain and swooned away. During this interval,
Srutakarman of great renown covered that lord of Earth, (viz., his
insensible antagonist), with ninety arrows. The mighty car-warrior
Citrasena then, recovering consciousness, cut off his antagonist’s
bow with a broad-headed arrow, and pierced his antagonist
himself with seven arrows. Taking up another bow that was
decked with gold, and capable of striking hard, Srutakarman then,
with his waves of arrows, made Citrasena assume a wonderful
appearance. Adorned with those arrows, the youthful king,
wearing beautiful garlands, looked in that battle like a well-
adorned youth in the midst of an assembly. Quickly piercing
Srutakarman with an arrow in the centre of the chest, he said unto
him, “Wait, Wait!” Srutakarman also, pierced with that arrow in
the battle, began to shed blood, like a mountain shedding streams
73
of liquid red chalk. Bathed in blood and dyed therewith, that hero
shone in battle like a flowering Kinsuka. Srutakarman, then, O
king, thus assailed by the foe, became filled with rage, and cut in
twain the foe-resisting bow of Citrasena. The latter’s bow having
been cut off, Srutakarman then, O king, pierced him with three
hundred arrows equipped with goodly wings, covering him
completely therewith. With another broad-headed arrow, sharp-
edged and keen pointed, he cut off the head, decked with head-
gear of his high-souled antagonist. That blazing head of Citrasena
fell down on the ground, like the moon loosened from the
firmament upon the Earth at will. Beholding the king slain, the
troops of Citrasena, O sire, rushed impetuously against (his
slayer). That great bowman then, filled with rage, rushed, shooting
his shafts, against that army, like Yama filled with fury, against all
creatures at the time of the universal dissolution. Slaughtered in
that battle by thy grandson armed with the bow, they quickly fled
on all sides like elephants scorched by a forestconflagration.
Beholding them flying away, hopeless of vanquishing the foe,
Srutakarman, pursuing them with his keen arrows, looked
exceedingly resplendent (on his car). Then Prativindhya, piercing
Citra with five arrows, struck his driver with three and his
standard with one. Him Citra pierced, striking in the arms and the
chest, with nine broad-headed shafts equipped with wings of gold,
having keen points, and plumed with Kanka and peacock feathers.
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Then Prativindhya, O Bharata, cutting off with his shafts the bow
of his antagonist deeply struck the latter with five keen arrows.
Then Citra, O monarch, sped at thy grandson a terrible and
irresistible dart, adorned with golden bells, and resembling a
flame of fire. Prativindhya, however, in that battle, cut off, with
the greatest ease, into three fragments, that dart as it coursed
towards him like a flashing meteor. Cut off into three fragments,
with Prativindhya’s shafts, that dart fell down, like the thunderbolt
inspiring all creatures with fear at the end of the Yuga. Beholding
that dart baffled, Citra, taking up a huge mace decked with a net-
work of gold, hurled it at Prativindhya. That mace slew the latter’s
steeds and driver also in that great battle, and crushing, besides,
his car, fell with great impetuosity on the Earth. Meanwhile,
having alighted from his car, O Bharata, Prativindhya hurled at
Citra a dart, well-adorned and equipped with a golden staff.
Catching it as it coursed towards him, the high-souled king Citra,
O Bharata, hurled the very weapon at Prativindhya. Striking the
brave Prativindhya in that battle, that blazing dart, piercing
through his right arm, fell down on the Earth, and falling
illumined the whole region like a blast of lightning. Then
Prativindhya, O king, filled with rage, and desiring to compass the
destruction of Citra, sped at him a lance decked with gold. That
lance penetrating through his armour and chest, entered the Earth
like a mighty snake in its hole. Struck with that lance, the king fell
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down, stretching out his large and massive arms that resembled a
couple of iron clubs. Beholding Citra slain, thy warriors, those
ornaments of battle, rushed impetuously at Prativindhya from all
sides. Shooting diverse kinds of shafts and Sataghnis decked with
rows of bells, they soon covered Prativindhya like masses of
clouds covering the Sun. The mighty-armed Prativindhya,
consuming with his arrowy showers those assailants of his in that
battle, routed thy army like the thunder-wielding Sakra routing the
Asura host. Thus slaughtered in battle by the Pandavas, thy troops,
O king, suddenly dispersed in all directions like congregated
masses of clouds dispersed by the wind. While thy army,
slaughtered on all sides, was thus flying away, only Drona’s son
singly rushed with speed against the mighty Bhimasena. All at
once a fierce encounter ensued between them like to what had
taken place between Vritra and Vasava in the battle between the
gods and the Asuras (of old).’”
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15
“Sanjaya said, ‘Endued with the greatest activity, Drona’s son, O

king, displaying the lightness of his arms, pierced Bhima with an
arrow. Aiming at all his vital points—for he had a knowledge of
all the vital points of the body—the quick-handed Ashvatthama
again struck him with ninety shafts. Pierced all over with keen
arrows by the son of Drona, Bhimasena looked resplendent in that
battle like the Sun himself with his rays. The son of Pandu then,
covering the son of Drona with a 1,000 well-directed shafts,
uttered a leonine roar. Baffling with his own shafts the shafts of
his foe in that battle, the son of Drona, O king, as if smiling, then
struck the Pandava on the forehead with a cloth-yard shaft. The
son of Pandu bore that arrow on his forehead even as the proud
rhinoceros, O king, in the forest bears its horn. The valiant Bhima,
then, in that battle as if smiling all the while, struck the struggling
son of Drona on the forehead with three cloth-yard shafts. With
those three arrows sticking on his forehead, that brahmana looked
beautiful like a three-peaked mountain washed with water in the
season of rains. The son of Drona then afflicted the Pandava with
hundreds of arrows, but failed to shake him like the wind failing
to shake the mountain. Similarly the son of Pandu, filled with joy,
could not in that battle shake the son of Drona with his hundreds
77
of keen shafts like torrents of rain failing to shake a mountain.

Shrouding each other with showers of terrible shafts those two
great car-warriors, those two heroes, endued with fierce might,
shone resplendent on those two foremost of cars of theirs. Then
they looked like two blazing Suns risen for the destruction of the
world, and engaged themselves in scorching each other with their
rays representing excellent arrows. Endeavouring with great care
to counteract each other’s feats in the great battle, and actually
engaged in matching deed by deed with showers of arrows most
fearlessly, those two foremost of men careered in that combat like
a couple of tigers. Both invincible and terrible, arrows constituted
their fangs and bows their mouths. They became invisible under
those clouds of arrows on all sides like the Sun and the Moon in
the firmament shrouded by masses of clouds. And then those two
chastisers of foes soon became visible and blazed forth like Mars
and Mercury freed from cloudy screens. Then at that instant
during the progress of that awful battle, Drona’s son placing
Vrikodara to his right, poured hundreds of fierce arrows upon him
like the clouds pouring torrents of rain upon a mountain. Bhima,
however, could not brook that indication of his enemy’s triumphs.
The son of Pandu, O king, from that very station on
Ashvatthama’s right, began to counteract the latter’s feats. Their
cars continuing to wheel around in diverse ways and advance and
retreat (according to the exigencies of the situation), the battle
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between those two lions among men became exceedingly furious.

Careering in diverse paths, and (executing) circular manoeuvres,
they continued to strike each other with arrows shot from their
bows drawn to their fullest stretch. And each made the greatest
endeavours to compass the destruction of the other. And each of
them desired to make the other carless in that battle. Then that car-
warrior, viz., the son of Drona, invoked many mighty weapons.
The son of Pandu, however, in that battle, with his own weapons,
counteracted all those weapons of his foe. Then, O monarch, there
took place an awful encounter of weapons, like to the terrible
encounter of planets at the time of the universal dissolution. Those
shafts, O Bharata, let off by them, coming in collision, illuminated
all the points of the compass and thy troops also all around.
Covered with flights of arrows, the welkin assumed a terrible
sight, like to what happens, O king, at the time of the universal
dissolution, when it is covered with falling meteors. From the
clash of shafts, O Bharata, fire was generated there with sparks
and blazing flames. That fire began to consume both armies.
Siddhas, moving there, O monarch, said these words, “O lord, this
battle is the foremost of all battles. Any battle (fought before)
does not come up to even a sixteenth part of this. A battle like this
will never occur again. Both these persons, viz., this brahmana
and this kshatriya, are endued with knowledge. Both are possessed
of courage, and both are fierce in prowess. Dreadful is the might
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of Bhima, and wonderful is the skill of the other in weapons. How

great is their energy and how wonderful the skill possessed by
both! Both of them stand in this battle like two universe-
destroying Yamas at the end of the Yuga. They are born like two
Rudras or like two Suns. These two tigers among men, both
endued with terrible forms, are like two Yamas in this battle.”
Such were the words of the Siddhas heard there every moment.
And among the assembled denizens of heaven there arose a
leonine roar. Beholding the amazing and inconceivable feats of
the two warriors in that battle, the dense throngs of Siddhas, and
Charanas were filled with wonder. And the gods, the Siddhas, and
the great Rishis applauded them both saying, “Excellent, O
mighty-armed son of Drona. Excellent, O Bhima.” Meanwhile
those two heroes, in that battle, O king, having done injuries to
each other, glared at each other with eyes rolling in rage. With
eyes red in rage, their lips also quivered in rage. And they grinded
their teeth in wrath and bit their lips. And those two great car-
warriors covered each other with showers of arrows, as if they
were in that battle two masses of clouds that poured torrents of
arrows for rain and that gleamed with weapons constituting their
lightning. Having pierced each other’s standards and drivers in
that great battle, and having also pierced each other’s steeds, they
continued to strike each other. Then, O monarch, filled with rage,
they took up in that dreadful encounter, two arrows, and each
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desirous of slaying the other shot quickly at his foe. Those two
blazing arrows, resistless and endued with the force of thunder,
coming, O king, to the two warriors as they stood at the head of
their respective divisions, struck them both. Each of the two
mighty combatants then deeply struck with those arrows, sank, on
the terrace of their respective car. Understanding the son of Drona
to be insensible, his driver then bore him away from the battle-
field, O king, in the sight of all the troops. Similarly, O king,
Bhima’s driver bore away from the battle-field on his car, the son
of Pandu, that scorcher of foes, who was repeatedly falling into a
swoon.’”
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16
“Dhritarashtra said, ‘Describe to me the battle of Arjuna with the

samsaptakas, and of the other kings with the Pandavas. Narrate to
me also, O Sanjaya, the battle of Arjuna with Ashvatthama, and of
the other lords of the Earth with Partha.’
“Sanjaya said, ‘Listen, O king, as I speak to thee as to how

occurred the battle of the heroic warriors (on our side) with the
foe—the battle which was destructive of bodies, sins, and lives.
That slayer of foes, viz, Partha, penetrating into the Samsaptaka
force that resembled the ocean, agitated it exceedingly, like a
tempest agitating the vast deep. Cutting off with broad-headed
arrows of keen edges the heads of brave warriors that were decked
with faces possessed of the splendour of the full moon and with
beautiful eyes and eyebrows and teeth, Dhananjaya speedily
caused the Earth to be strewn there as if with lotuses, plucked off
their stalks. And in that battle Arjuna with his razor-headed shafts,
cut off the arms of his foes, that were all well rounded, large and
massive, and smeared with sandal-paste and other perfumes, with
weapons in grasp, with leathern gloves casing their fingers, and
looking like five-headed snakes. And the son of Pandu repeatedly
cut off with his broad-headed shafts, steeds, riders, drivers, and
flags, and bows and arrows, and arms decked with gems. And
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Arjuna in that battle, O king, with many thousands of arrows,

despatched to Yama’s abode, car-warriors and elephants and
horses and horsemen. Many foremost of warriors, filled with rage
and roaring like bulls mad (like them) with excitement for a cow
in season, rushed towards Arjuna, with loud cries. All of them
then began to strike Arjuna with their arrows as the latter was
employed in slaying them, like infuriate bulls striking one of their
species with their horns. The battle that took place between him
and them made the hair to stand on end, even like the battle
between the Daityas and the wielder of the thunderbolt on the
occasion of the conquest of the three worlds. Resisting with his
own weapons the weapons of his foes on all sides. Arjuna,
piercing them fast with innumerable arrows, took their lives. Like
the wind destroying vast masses of clouds, Arjuna, otherwise
called Jaya, that enhancer of the fears of his foes, cutting off into
minute fragments large throngs of cars,--cars, that is, whose poles,
wheels, and axles had previously been shattered by him, and
whose warriors and steeds and drivers had been slain before, and
whose weapons and quivers had been displaced, and standards
crushed, and traces and reins sundered, and wooden fences and
shafts broken already, and filling every body with wonder,
achieved feats magnificent to behold and rivalling those of a 1,000
great car-warriors fighting together. Crowds of Siddhas and
celestial Rishis and Charanas all applauded him. And celestial
83
kettle-drums sounded, and floral showers fell upon the heads of

Keshava and Arjuna. And an incorporeal voice said, “These viz.,
Keshava and Arjuna, are those two heroes that always possess the
beauty of the moon, the splendour of fire, the force of the wind
and the radiance of the sun. Stationed on the same car these two
heroes are invincible even like Brahman and Isana. These two
heroes the foremost of all creatures are Nara and Narayana.”
Hearing and beholding these wonderful things, O Bharata,
Ashvatthama, with great care and resolution, rushed against
Krishna and Arjuna in that battle. With his arm that held an arrow
in its grasp, the son of Drona hailed the Pandava, shooting shafts
equipped with foe-slaying heads, and smilingly told him these
words, “If, O hero, thou regardest me a worthy guest arrived
(before thee), then give me today, with the whole heart, the
hospitality of battle.” Thus summoned by the preceptor’s son from
desire of battle, Arjuna regarded himself highly honoured, and
addressing Janardana said, “The samsaptakas should be slain by
me, but Drona’s son again is summoning me. Tell me, O
Madhava, to which of these duties should I first turn? First let the
services of hospitality be offered, if thou thinkest that to be
proper.” Thus addressed, Krishna bore Partha who had been
summoned according to the rules of triumphant challenge to the
vicinity of Drona’s son, like Vayu bearing Indra to the sacrifice.
Saluting Drona’s son whose mind was fixed upon one thing,
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Keshava, said unto him, “O Ashvatthama, be cool, and without

losing a moment strike and bear. The time has come for those that
are dependent on others to repay their obligation to their masters.
The disputes between brahmanas are subtle. The consequences,
however, of the disputes of kshatriyas are palpable, being either
victory or defeat. For obtaining those excellent rites of hospitality
that from folly thou solicitest at the hands of Partha, fight coolly
now with the son of Pandu.” Thus addressed by Vasudeva, that
foremost of regenerate ones, replied saying, “So be it!” pierced
Keshava with sixty shafts and Arjuna with three. Arjuna then,
filled with rage, cut off Ashvatthama’s bow with three shafts.
Drona’s son took up another bow that was still more formidable.
Stringing it within the twinkling of an eye, he pierced Arjuna and
Keshava, the latter with three hundred arrows, and the former with
a 1,000. And then Drona’s son, with good care, stupefying Arjuna
in that battle, shot thousands and tens of thousands and millions of
arrows. From the quivers, the bow, the bow-string, the fingers,
the arms, the hands, the chest, the face, the nose, the eyes, the
ears, the heads, the limbs, the pores of the body, the armour on his
person, the car, and the standard, O sire, of that utterer of Brahma,
arrows began to issue. Piercing Madhava and the son of Pandu
with the thick arrowy shower, Drona’s son filled with joy, roared
aloud like a vast mass of congregated clouds. Hearing that roar of
his, the son of Pandu said unto Keshava of unfading glory these
85
words “Behold, O Madhava, this wickedness towards me of the

preceptor’s son. He regardeth us to be slain, having shrouded us
with his dense arrowy shower. I will presently, however, by my
training and might, baffle his purpose.” Cutting off every one of
those arrows shot by Ashvatthama into three fragments, that
foremost one of Bharata’s race destroyed them all like the Sun
destroying a thick fog. After this the son of Pandu once more
pierced with his fierce shafts, the samsaptakas with their steeds,
drivers, cars, elephants, standards and foot-soldiers. Every one of
those that stood there as spectators, every one of those that were
stationed there on foot or car or steed or elephant, regarded
himself as shrouded by the arrows of Arjuna. Shot from Gandiva,
those winged arrows of diverse forms slew in that battle elephants
and steeds and men whether stationed in his immediate front or at
the distance of two miles. The trunks, cut off with broad-headed
shafts, of elephants, down whose cheeks and other limbs flowed
the juice indicative of excitement, fell down like tall trees in the
forest struck down with the axe. A little after down fell elephants,
huge as hillocks, with their riders, like mountains crushed by
Indra with his thunder. With his shafts cutting into minute
portions well-equipped cars that looked like dissolving edifices of
vapour in the evening sky and unto which were yoked well-
trained steeds of great speed and which were ridden by warriors
invincible in battle, the son of Pandu continued to shower his
86
arrows on his enemies. And Dhananjaya continued to slay well-

decked horsemen and foot-soldiers of the foe. Indeed,
Dhananjaya, resembling the very Sun as he rises at the end of the
Yuga, dried up the samsaptaka ocean incapable of being dried up
easily, by means of keen arrows constituting his rays. Without
losing a moment, the son of Pandu once more pierced Drona’s son
resembling a huge hill, with shafts of great impetuosity and the
splendour of the Sun, like the wielder of the thunderbolt piercing a
mountain with the thunder. Desirous of battle, the preceptor’s son
then, filled with rage, approached Arjuna for piercing him and his
steeds and drivers by means of his swiftly coursing shafts.
Arjuna, however, quickly cut off the shafts shot at him by
Ashvatthama. The son of Pandu then filled with great wrath,
proffered unto Ashvatthama, that desirable guest, quivers upon
quivers of arrows, like a charitable person offering everything in
his house unto a guest. Leaving the samsaptakas then the son of
Pandu rushed towards Drona’s son like a donor abandoning
unworthy guests, for proceeding towards one that is worthy.”
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17
“Sanjaya said, ‘Then occurred that battle between Arjuna and

Ashvatthama resembling the planets Shukra and Brihaspati in
splendour, like the battle between Shukra and Brihaspati in the
firmament for entering the same constellation. Afflicting each
other with blazing shafts that constituted their rays, those terrifiers
of the world stood like two planets both deviating from their
orbits. Then Arjuna deeply pierced Ashvatthama with a shaft in
the midst of his eyebrows. With that shaft the son of Drona looked
resplendent like the Sun with upward rays. The two Krishnas
(Nara and Narayana), also deeply afflicted by Ashvatthama with
hundreds of arrows, looked like two Suns at the end of the Yuga,
resplendent with their own rays. Then when Vasudeva seemed to
be stupefied, Arjuna shot a weapon from which issued torrents of
shafts on all sides. And he struck the son of Drona with
innumerable shafts, each resembling the thunder or fire or the
sceptre of Death. Endued with mighty energy, that achiever of
fierce feats, (Ashvatthama) then pierced both Keshava and Arjuna
with well-shot shafts which were inspired with great impetuosity
and struck with which Death himself would feel pain. Checking
the shafts of Drona’s son, Arjuna covered him with twice as many
arrows equipped with goodly wings, and shrouding that foremost
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of heroes and his steeds and driver and standard, began to strike
the samsaptakas. With his well-shot shafts Partha began to cut off
the bows and quivers and bowstrings and hands and arms and
tightly grasped weapons and umbrellas and standards and steeds
and car shafts and robes and floral garlands and ornaments and
coats of mail and handsome shields and beautiful heads, in large
numbers, of his unretreating foes. Well-equipped cars and steeds
and elephants, ridden by heroes fighting with great care, were
destroyed by the hundreds of shafts sped by Partha and fell down
along with the heroes that rode on them. Cut off with broad-
headed and crescent-shaped and razor-faced arrows, human heads,
resembling the lotus, the Sun, or the full Moon in beauty and
resplendent with diadems and necklaces and crowns, dropped
ceaselessly on the earth. Then the Kalinga, the Vanga, and the
Nishada heroes, riding on elephants, that resembled in splendour
the elephant of the great foe of the daityas, rushed with speed
against the queller of the pride of the danavas, the son of Pandu,
from desire of slaying him. Partha cut off the vital limbs, the
trunks, the riders, the standards, and the banners of those
elephants, upon which those beasts fell down like mountain
summits riven with thunder. When that elephant force was broken,
the diadem-decked Arjuna shrouded the son of his preceptor with
shafts endued with the splendour of the newly risen Sun, like the
wind shrouding the risen Sun with masses of congregated clouds.
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Checking with his own shafts those of Arjuna, Drona’s son

shrouding both Arjuna and Vasudeva with his arrows, gave a loud
roar, like a mass of clouds at the close of summer after shrouding
the Sun or the Moon in the firmament. Deeply afflicted with those
arrows, Arjuna, aiming his weapons at Ashvatthama and at those
followers of his belonging to the army, speedily dispelled that
darkness caused by Ashvatthama’s arrows, and pierced all of them
with shafts equipped with goodly wings. In that battle none could
see when Savyasaci took up his shafts, when he aimed them, and
when he let them off. All that could be seen was that elephants
and steeds and foot-soldiers and car-warriors, struck with his
arrows, fell down deprived of life. Then Drona’s son without
losing a moment, aiming ten foremost of arrows, sped them
quickly as if they formed only one arrow. Shot with great force,
five of these pierced Arjuna and the other five pierced Vasudeva.
Struck with those arrows, those two foremost of men, like Kuvera
and Indra, became bathed in blood. Thus afflicted, all the people
there regarded those two heroes as slain by Ashvatthama the
warrior who had completely mastered the science of arms. Then
the chief of the Dasharhas addressed Arjuna and said, “Why errest
thou in thus sparing Ashvatthama? Slay this warrior. If treated
with indifference, even this one will be the cause of great woe,
like a disease not sought to be put down by treatment.” Replying
unto Keshava of unfading glory with the words “So be it!” Arjuna
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of unclouded understanding began with good care to mangle the

son of Drona with his shafts. Now the son of Pandu, filled with
rage, quickly pierced the massive arms, smeared with sandal-
paste, and the chest, the head, and the unrivalled thighs of his
antagonist with shafts equipped with heads like goats’ ears, and
shot with great force from gandiva. Then cutting off the traces of
Ashvatthama’s steeds, Arjuna began to pierce the steeds
themselves, whereat the latter bore Ashvatthama away to a great
distance from the field. Thus borne away by these steeds endued
with the speed of the wind, the intelligent son of Drona, deeply
afflicted with the shafts of Partha, reflecting for some time,
wished not to go back and renew the fight with Partha. Knowing
that victory is ever with the chief of the Vrishnis and with
Dhananjaya, that foremost one of Angirasa’s race, endued with
great activity, entered the army of Karna, deprived of hope and
with shafts and weapons almost exhausted. Indeed, Drona’s son,
restraining his steeds, and having comforted himself a little, O
sire, entered the force of Karna, teeming with cars and steeds and
men. After Ashvatthama, that enemy of theirs, had been thus
removed from the field by his steeds like a disease removed from
the body by incantations and medicines and means, Keshava and
Arjuna proceeded towards the samsaptakas, on their car whose
rattle resembled the roar of the clouds and whose banner waved
on the wind.’”
91
92
18
“Sanjaya said, ‘Meanwhile towards the northern part of the

Pandava army, a loud uproar arose of cars and elephants and
steeds and foot-soldiers as those were being massacred by
Dandadhara. Turning the course of the car, but without stopping
the steeds which were as fleet as Garuda or the wind, Keshava,
addressing Arjuna, said, “The chief of the Magadhas, with his
(foe-crushing) elephant is unrivalled in prowess. In training and
might he is not inferior to Bhagadatta himself. Having slain him
first, thou wilt then slay the samsaptakas.” At the conclusion of
his words, Keshava bore Partha to the presence of Dandadhara.
The chief of the Magadhas, peerless in handling the elephant-hook
even as the headless planet Ketu (is peerless) among all the
planets, was destroying the hostile army like a fierce comet
destroying the whole earth. Riding on his foe-slaying and well-
equipped elephant which looked like the danava with elephantine
face and form, and whose roar resembled that of a congregated
mass of clouds, Dandadhara was destroying with his shafts
thousands of cars and steeds and elephants and men. The
elephants also, treading upon cars with their feet, pressed down
into the Earth a large number of men with their steeds and drivers.
Many were the elephants, also, which that foremost of elephants,
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crushed and slew with his two forefeet and trunk. Indeed, the
beast moved like the wheel of Death. Slaying men adorned with
steel coats of mail, along with their horses and foot-soldiers, the
chief of the Magadhas caused these to be pressed down into the
earth, like thick reeds pressed down with crackling sounds, by
means of that mighty and foremost of elephants belonging to him.
Then Arjuna, riding on that foremost of cars, rushed quickly
towards that prince of elephants in the midst of that host teeming
with thousands of cars and steeds and elephants, and resounding
with the beat and blare of innumerable cymbals and drums and
conchs and uproarious with the clatter of car-wheels, the twang of
bow-strings, and the sound of palms. Even Dandadhara pierced
Arjuna with a dozen foremost of shafts and Janardana with sixteen
and each of the steeds with three, and then uttered a loud shout
and laughed repeatedly. Then Partha, with a number of broad-
headed shafts, cut off the bow of his antagonist with its string and
arrow fixed thereon, as also his well-decked standard, and then the
guides of his beast and the footmen that protected the animal. At
this, the lord of Girivraja became filled with rage. Desirous of
agitating Janardana with that tusker of his, whose temples had
split from excitement, and which resembled a mass of clouds and
was endued with the speed of the wind, Dandadhara struck
Dhananjaya with many lances. The son of Pandu then, with three
razor-headed arrows, cut off, almost at the same instant of time,
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the two arms each looking like the trunk of an elephant, and then
the head, resembling the full Moon, of his foe. Then Arjuna struck
the elephant of this antagonist with hundreds of arrows. Covered
with the gold-decked arrows of Partha, that elephant equipped
with golden armour looked as resplendent as a mountain in the
night with its herbs and trees blazing in a conflagration. Afflicted
with the pain and roaring like a mass of clouds, and exceedingly
weakened, the elephant crying and wandering and running with
tottering steps, fell down with the guide on its neck, like a
mountain summit riven by thunder. Upon the fall of his brother in
battle, Danda advanced against Indra’s younger brother and
Dhananjaya, desirous of slaying them, on his tusker white as snow
and adorned with gold and looking like a Himalayan summit.
Danda struck Janardana with three whetted lances bright as the
rays of the sun, and Arjuna with five, and uttered a loud shout.
The son of Pandu then uttering a loud shout cut off the two arms
of Danda. Cut off by means of razor-headed shafts, those two
arms, smeared with sandal-paste, adorned with angadas, and with
lances in grasp, as they fell from the elephant’s back at the same
instant of time, looked resplendent like a couple of large snakes of
great beauty falling down from a mountain summit. Cut off with a
crescent-shaped arrow by the diadem-decked (Partha), the head
also of Danda fell down on the Earth from the elephant’s back,
and covered with blood it looked resplendent as it lay like the sun
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dropped from the Asta mountain towards the western quarter.

Then Partha pierced with many excellent arrows bright as the rays
of the sun that elephant of his foe, resembling a mass of white
clouds whereupon it fell down with a noise like a Himalayan
summit riven with thunder. Then other huge elephants capable of
winning victory and resembling the two already slain, were cut off
by Savyasaci, in that battle, even as the two (belonging to Danda
and Dandadhara) had been cut off. At this the vast hostile force
broke. Then elephants and cars and steeds and men, in dense
throngs, clashed against one another and fell down on the field.
Tottering, they violently struck one another and fell down
deprived of life. Then his soldiers, encompassing Arjuna like the
celestials encompassing Purandara, began to say, “O hero, that foe
of whom we had been frightened like creatures at the sight of
Death himself, hath by good luck been slain by thee. If thou hadst
not protected from that fear those people that were so deeply
afflicted by mighty foes, then by this time our foes would have
felt that delight which we now feel at their death, O slayer of
enemies.” Hearing these and other words uttered by friends and
allies, Arjuna, with a cheerful heart, worshipped those men, each
according to his deserts, and proceeded once more against the
samsaptakas.’”
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19
“Sanjaya said, ‘Wheeling round, like the planet Mercury in the

curvature of its orbit, Jishnu (Arjuna) once more slew large
number of the samsaptakas. Afflicted with the shafts of Partha, O
king, men, steeds, and elephants, O Bharata, wavered and
wondered and lost colour and fell down and died. Many foremost
of animals tied to yokes and drivers and standards, and bows, and
shafts and hands and weapons in grasp, and arms, and heads, of
heroic foes fighting with him, the son of Pandu cut off in that
battle, with arrows, some of which were broad-headed, some
equipped with heads like razors, some crescent-shaped, and some
furnished with heads like the calf’s tooth. Like bulls fighting with
a bull for the sake of a cow in season, brave warriors by hundreds
and thousands closed upon Arjuna. The battle that took place
between them and him made the hair to stand on end like the
encounter between the Daityas and Indra, the wielder of the
thunderbolt on the occasion of the conquest of the three worlds.
Then the son of Ugrayudha pierced Partha with three shafts
resembling three venomous snakes. Partha, however, cut off from
his enemy’s trunk the latter’s head. Then those warriors, filled
with rage, covered Arjuna from every side with diverse kinds of
weapons like the clouds urged by the Maruts shrouding Himavat
97
at the close of summer. Checking with his own weapons those of

his foes on every side, Arjuna slew a large number of his enemies
with well-shot shafts. With his arrows Arjuna then cut off the
Trivenus, the steeds, the drivers, and the parshni drivers of many
cars, and displaced the weapons and quivers of many, and
deprived many of their wheels and standards, and broke the cords,
the traces and the axles of many, and destroyed the bottoms and
yokes of others, and caused all the equipment of many to fall from
their places. Those cars, thus smashed and injured by Arjuna in
large numbers, looked like the luxurious mansions of the rich
destroyed by fire, wind, and rain. Elephants, their vitals pierced
with shafts resembling thunderbolts in impetuosity, fell down like
mansions on mountain-tops overthrown by blasts of lightning.
Large numbers of steeds with their riders, struck by Arjuna, fell
down on the Earth, their tongues and entrails pressed out,
themselves deprived of strength and bathed in blood, and
presenting an awful sight. Men and steeds and elephants, pierced
by Savyasaci (Arjuna) with his shafts, wondered and tottered and
fell down and uttered cries of pain and looked pale, O sire. Like
Mahendra smiting down the danavas, Partha smote down large
numbers of his foes, by means of shafts whetted on stone and
resembling the thunder of poison in deadliness. Brave warriors,
cased in costly coats of mail and decked with ornaments and
armed with diverse kinds of weapons, lay on the field, with their
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cars and standards, slain by Partha. Vanquished (and deprived of

life) persons of righteous deeds, possessed of noble birth and great
knowledge, proceeded to heaven in consequence of those glorious
deeds of theirs while their bodies only lay on Earth. Then the
chief, belonging to thy army, of various realms, filled with wrath
and accompanied by their followers, rushed against Arjuna, that
foremost of car-warriors. Warriors borne on their cars and steeds
and elephants, and foot-soldiers also, all desirous of slaying
(Arjuna), rushed towards him, shooting diverse weapons with
great speed. Then Arjuna like wind, by means of keen shafts,
destroyed that thick shower of weapons dropped by those warriors
constituting a mass of congregated clouds. People then beheld
Arjuna crossing that raftless ocean constituted by steeds and foot-
soldiers and elephants and cars, and having mighty weapons for
its waves, on a bridge constituted by his own mighty weapons of
offence and defence. Then Vasudeva, addressing Partha, said,
“Why, O sinless one, dost thou sport in this way? Grinding these
samsaptakas, haste thyself for Karna’s slaughter.” Saying, “So be
it” unto Krishna, Arjuna then, forcibly smiting the remnant of the
samsaptakas with his weapons, began to destroy them like Indra
destroying the Daityas. At that time, with even the closest
attention, men could not mark when Arjuna took out his shafts,
when he aimed them and when he let them off quickly. Govinda
himself, O Bharata, regarded it wonderful. Like swans diving into
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a lake the shafts of Arjuna, white and active as swans, penetrated

into the hostile force. Then Govinda, beholding the field of battle
during the progress of that carnage, said these words to Savyasaci,
“Here, O Partha, for the sake of Duryodhana alone, occurreth this
great and terrible destruction of the Bharatas and other kings of
Earth. Behold, O son of Bharata, these bows, with golden backs,
of many mighty bowmen, and these girdles and quivers loosened
from their bodies. Behold these straight shafts equipped with
wings of gold, and these long arrows washed with oil and looking
like snakes freed from their sloughs. Behold these beautiful lances
decked with gold lying scattered about, and these coats of mail, O
Bharata, adorned with gold and fallen off from the bodies of the
warriors. Behold these spears embellished with gold, these darts
adorned with the same metal, and these huge maces twined round
with threads of gold, and cords of hemp. Behold these swords
decked with bright gold and these axes adorned with the same,
and these battle-axes equipped with gold-decked handles. Behold
also these spiked clubs, these short arrows, these Bhusundis, and
these Kanapas; these iron Kuntas lying around, and these heavy
Mushalas. These victory-longing warriors endued with great
activity and armed with diverse weapons, though dead, still seem
to be quick with life. Behold those thousands of warriors, their
limbs crushed with maces, and heads split with Mushalas or
smashed and trod by elephants and steeds and cars. O slayer of
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foes, the field of battle is strewn with the bodies of men and
elephants and steeds, deprived of life, dreadfully mangled with
shafts and darts and swords and lances and scimitars and axes and
spears and Nakharas and bludgeons, and bathed in streams of
blood. Strewn with arms smeared with sandal-paste and decked
with Angadas and graced with auspicious indications and cased in
leathern fences and adorned with Keyuras, the Earth looks
resplendent, O Bharata. Strewn also with hands having fingers
cased in fences, decked with ornaments, and lopped off from
arms, and with severed thighs looking like the trunks of elephants,
of heroes endued with great activity and with heads adorned with
earrings and headgears set with gems, (the Earth looks
exceedingly beautiful). Behold those beautiful cars, decked with
golden bells, broken in diverse ways. Behold those numerous
steeds bathed in blood, those bottoms of cars and long quivers,
and diverse kinds of standards and banners and those huge conchs,
of the combatants, and those yak-tails perfectly white, and those
elephants with tongues lolling out and lying on the field like hills,
and those beautiful with triumphal banners, and those slain
elephant-warriors, and those rich coverlets, each consisting of one
piece of blanket, for the backs of those huge beasts, and those
beautiful and variegated and torn blankets, and those numerous
bells loosened from the bodies of elephants and broken into
fragments by those falling creatures, and those hooks with handles
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set with stones of lapis lazuli fallen upon the Earth, and those
ornamental yokes of steeds, and those armours set with diamonds
for their breasts and those rich cloths, adorned with gold and tied
to the ends of the standards borne by horsemen, and those
variegated coverlets and housings and Ranku skins, set with
brilliant gems and inlaid with gold, for the backs of steeds and
fallen on the ground, and those large diamonds adorning the head-
gears of kings, and those beautiful necklaces of gold, and those
umbrellas displaced from their positions, and those yak-tails and
fans. Behold the earth strewn with faces adorned with earrings
bright as the moon or stars, and embellished with well-cut beards,
and each looking like the full moon. The earth, strewn with those
faces looking like lilies and lotuses, resembles a lake adorned with
a dense assemblage of lilies and lotuses. Behold, the earth
possessing the effulgence of the bright moon and diversified as if
with myriads of stars, looks like the autumnal firmament
bespangled with stellar lights. O Arjuna, these feats that have been
achieved by thee in great battle today are, indeed, worthy of thee
or of the chief of the celestials himself in heaven.” Even thus did
Krishna show the field of battle unto Arjuna. And while returning
(from the field to their camp), they heard a loud noise in the army
of Duryodhana. Indeed the uproar that was heard consisted of the
blare of conchs and the beat of cymbals and drums and Patahas
and the clatter of car wheels, the neighing of steeds, the grunt of
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elephants, and the fierce clash of weapons. Penetrating into that

force by the aid of his steeds possessing the fleetness of the wind,
Krishna became filled with wonder upon beholding the army
grinded by Pandya. Like Yama himself slaying creatures whose
lives have run out, Pandya, that foremost of warriors skilled in
shafts and weapons, was destroying crowds of foes by means of
diverse kinds of shafts. Piercing the bodies of the elephants and
steeds and men with sharp shafts, that foremost of smiters
overthrew and deprived them of life. Cutting off with his own
shafts the diverse weapons hurled at him by many foremost of
foes, Pandya slew his enemies like Sakra (Indra) destroying the
Danavas.’”
103
20
“Dhritarashtra said, ‘Thou didst mention to me before the name of

Pandya, that hero of world-wide celebrity, but his feats, O
Sanjaya, in battle have never been narrated by thee. Tell me today
in detail of the prowess of that great hero, his skill, spirit, and
energy, the measure of his might, and his pride.’
“Sanjaya said, ‘Bhishma and Drona and Kripa and Drona’s son
and Karna and Arjuna and Janardana, those thorough masters of
the science of weapons, are regarded by thee as the foremost of
car-warriors. Know, however, that Pandya regarded himself
superior to all these foremost of car-warriors in energy. Indeed he
never regarded any one amongst the kings as equal to himself. He
never admitted his equality with Karna and Bhishma. Nor did he
admit within his heart that he was inferior in any respect to
Vasudeva or Arjuna. Even such was Pandya, that foremost of
kings, that first of wielder of weapons. Filled with rage like the
Destroyer himself, Pandya at the time was slaughtering the army
of Karna. That force, swelling with cars and steeds and teeming
with foremost of foot-soldiers, struck by Pandya, began to turn
round like the potter’s wheel. Like the wind dispersing a mass of
congregated clouds, Pandya, with his well shot arrows, began to
disperse that force, destroying its steeds and drivers and standards
104
and cars and causing its weapons and elephants to fall down. Like
the splitter of mountains striking down mountains with his
thunder, Pandya overthrew elephants with their riders, having
previously cut down the standards and banners and weapons with
which they were armed, as also the foot-soldiers that protected
those beasts. And he cut down horses, and horsemen with their
darts and lances and quivers. Mangling with his shafts the
Pulindas, the Khasas, the Bahlikas, the Nishadas, the Andhakas,
the Tanganas, the Southerners, and the Bhojas, all of whom,
endued with great courage, were unyielding and obstinate in
battle, and divesting them of their weapons and coats of mail,
Pandya deprived them of their lives. Beholding Pandya destroying
with his shafts in battle that host consisting of four kinds of forces,
the son of Drona fearlessly proceeded towards that fearless
warrior. Fearlessly addressing in sweet words that warrior who
then seemed to dance on his car, Drona’s son, that foremost of
smiters, smiling the while, summoned him and said, “O king, O
thou with eyes like the petals of the lotus, thy birth is noble and
learning great. Of celebrated might and prowess, thou resemblest
Indra himself. Stretching with thy two massive arms the bow held
by thee and whose large string is attached to thy grasp, thou
lookest beautiful like a mass of congregated clouds as thou
pourest over thy foes thick showers of impetuous shafts. I do not
see anybody save myself that can be a match for thee in battle.
105
Alone thou crushest numerous cars and elephants and foot-

soldiers and steeds, like the fearless lion of terrible might crushing
herds of deer in the forest. Making the welkin and the Earth
resound with the loud clatter of thy car-wheels thou lookest
resplendent, O king, like a crop-destroying autumnal cloud of loud
roars. Taking out of thy quiver and shooting thy keen shafts
resembling snakes of virulent poison fight with myself only, like
(the asura) Andhaka fighting with the three-eyed deity.” Thus
addressed, Pandya answered, “So be it.” Then Drona’s son, telling
him “Strike,” assailed him with vigour. In return, Malayadhwaja
pierced the son of Drona with a barbed arrow. Then Drona’s son,
that best of preceptors, smiling the while, struck Pandya with
some fierce arrows, capable of penetrating into the very vitals and
resembling flames of fire. Then Ashvatthama once more sped at
his foe some other large arrows equipped with keen points and
capable of piercing the very vitals, causing them to course through
the welkin with the ten different kinds of motion. Pandya,
however, with nine shafts of his cut off all those arrows of his
antagonist. With four other shafts he afflicted the four steeds of
his foe, at which they speedily expired. Having then, with his
sharp shafts, cut off the arrows of Drona’s son, Pandya then cut
off the stretched bow-string of Ashvatthama, endued with the
splendour of the sun. Then Drona’s son, that slayer of foes,
stringing his unstringed bow, and seeing that his men had
106
meanwhile speedily yoked other excellent steeds unto his car,

sped thousands of arrows (at his foe). By this, that regenerate one
filled the entire welkin and the ten points of the compass with his
arrows. Although knowing that those shafts of the high-souled son
of Drona employed in shooting were really inexhaustible, yet
Pandya, that bull among men, cut them all into pieces. The
antagonist of Ashvatthama, carefully cutting off all those shafts
shot by the latter, then slew with his own keen shafts the two
protectors of the latter’s car wheels in that encounter. Beholding
the lightness of hand displayed by his foe, Drona’s son, drawing
his bow to a circle, began to shoot his arrows like a mass of clouds
pouring torrents of rain. During that space of time, O sire, which
consisted only of the eighth part of a day, the son of Drona shot as
many arrows as were carried on eight carts each drawn by eight
bullocks. Almost all those men that then beheld Ashvatthama,
who at the time looked like the Destroyer himself filled with rage,
or rather the Destroyer of the Destroyer, lost their senses. Like a
mass of clouds at the close of summer drenching with torrents of
rain, the Earth with her mountains and trees, the preceptor’s son
poured on that hostile force his arrowy shower. Baffling with the
Vayavya weapon that unbearable shower of arrows shot by the
Ashvatthama-cloud, the Pandya-wind, filled with joy, uttered loud
roars. Then Drona’s son cutting off the standard, smeared with
sandal-paste and other perfumed unguents and bearing the device
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of the Malaya mountain on it, of the roaring Pandya, slew the four
steeds of the latter. Slaying then his foe’s driver with a single
shaft, and cutting off with a crescent-shaped arrow the bow also of
that warrior whose twang resembled the roar of the clouds,
Ashvatthama cut off his enemy’s car into minute fragments.
Checking with the weapons those of his enemy, and cutting off all
the weapons of the latter, Drona’s son, although he obtained the
opportunity to do his enemy the crowning evil, still slew him not,
from desire of battling with him for some time more. Meanwhile
Karna rushed against the large elephant force of the Pandavas and
began to rout and destroy it. Depriving car-warriors of their cars,
he struck elephants and steeds and human warriors, O Bharata,
with innumerable straight shafts. That mighty bowman, the son of
Drona, although he had made Pandya, that slayer of foes and
foremost of car-warriors, carless, yet he did not slay him from
desire of fight. At that time a huge riderless elephant with large
tusks, well-equipped with all utensils of war, treading with speed,
endued with great might, quick to proceed against any enemy,
struck with Ashvatthama’s shafts, advanced towards the direction
of Pandya with great impetuosity, roaring against a hostile
compeer. Beholding that prince of elephants, looking like a cloven
mountain summit, Pandya, who was well acquainted with the
method of fighting from the neck of an elephant, quickly ascended
that beast like a lion springing with a loud roar to the top of a
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mountain summit. Then that lord of the prince of mountains,

striking the elephant with the hook, and inspired with rage, and
with that cool care for which he was distinguished in hurling
weapons with great force, quickly sped a lance, bright as Surya’s
rays, at the preceptor’s son and uttered a loud shout. Repeatedly
shouting in joy, “Thou art slain, Thou art slain!” Pandya (with that
lance) crushed to pieces the diadem of Drona’s son adorned with
foremost of jewels and diamonds of the first water and the very
best kind of gold and excellent cloth and strings of pearls. That
diadem possessed of the splendour of the Sun, the Moon, the
planets, or the fire, in consequence of the violence of the stroke,
fell down, split into fragments, like a mountain summit riven by
Indra’s thunder, falling down on the Earth with great noise. At
this, Ashvatthama blazed up with exceeding rage like a prince of
snakes struck with the foot, and took up four and ten shafts
capable of inflicting great pain upon foes and each resembling the
Destroyer’s rod. With five of those shafts he cut off the four feet
and the trunk of his adversary’s elephant, and with three the two
arms and the head of the king, and with six he slew the six mighty
car-warriors, endued with great effulgence, that followed king
Pandya. Those long and well-rounded arms of the king, smeared
with excellent sandal-paste, and adorned with gold and pearls and
gems and diamonds falling upon the Earth, began to writhe like a
couple of snakes slain by Garuda. That head also, graced with a
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face bright as the full Moon, having a prominent nose and a pair
of large eyes, red as copper with rage, adorned with earrings,
falling on the ground, looked resplendent like the Moon himself
between two bright constellations. The elephant, thus cut off by
that skilful warrior into six pieces with those five shafts and the
king into four pieces with those three shafts lay divided in all into
ten pieces that looked like the sacrificial butter distributed into ten
portions intended for the ten deities. Having cut off numerous
steeds and men and elephants into pieces and offered them as food
into the Rakshasas, king Pandya was thus quieted by Drona’s son
with his shafts like a blazing fire in a crematorium, extinguished
with water after it has received a libation in the shape of a lifeless
body. Then like the chief of the celestials joyfully worshipping
Vishnu after the subjugation of the Asura Vali, thy son, the king,
accompanied by his brothers approaching the preceptor’s son
worshipped with great respect that warrior who is a complete
master of the science of arms, after indeed, he had completed the
task he had undertaken.”
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“Dhritarashtra said, ‘When Pandya had been slain and when that
foremost of heroes, viz., Karna was employed in routing and
destroying the foe, what, O Sanjaya, did Arjuna do in battle? That
son of Pandu is a hero, endued with great might, attentive to his
duties, and a complete master of the science of arms. The high-
souled Sankara himself hath made him invincible among all
creatures. My greatest fears proceed from that Dhananjaya, that
slayer of foes. Tell me, O Sanjaya, all that Partha achieved there
on that occasion.’
“Sanjaya said, ‘After Pandya’s fall, Krishna quickly said unto

Arjuna these beneficial words, “I do not behold the King. The
other Pandavas also have retreated. If the Parthas had returned, the
vast force of the enemy would have been broken. In fulfilment of
purposes entertained by Ashvatthama, Karna is slaying the
Srinjayas. A great carnage is being made (by that warrior) of
steeds and car-warriors and elephants.” Thus the heroic Vasudeva
represented everything unto the diadem-decked (Arjuna). Hearing
of and beholding that great danger of his brother (Yudhishthira),
Partha quickly addressed Krishna, saying, “Urge the steeds, O
Hrishikesha.” Then Hrishikesha proceeded on that irresistible car.
The encounter then that once more took place became exceedingly
111
fierce. The Kurus and the Pandavas once more fearlessly closed
with each other, that is, the Parthas headed by Bhimasena and
ourselves headed by the Suta’s son. Then, O best of kings, there
once more commenced a battle between Karna and the Pandavas
that swelled the population of Yama’s kingdom. With bows and
arrows and spiked clubs and swords and lances and axes and short
clubs and Bhushundis and darts and rapiers and battle-axes and
maces and spears and polished Kuntas, and short shafts and
hooks, the combatants quickly fell upon one another, desirous of
taking one another’s life. Filling the welkin, the cardinal points of
the compass, the subsidiary ones, the firmament, and the Earth,
with the whizz of arrows, the twang of bow-strings, the sound of
palms, and the clatter of car-wheels, foes rushed upon foes.
Gladdened by that loud noise, heroes, fought with heroes desirous
of reaching the end of the hostilities. Loud became the noise
caused by the sound of bow-strings and fences and bows, the
grunt of elephants, and the shouts of foot-soldiers and falling men.
Hearing the terrible whizz of arrows and the diverse shouts of
brave warriors, the troops took fright, became pale, and fell down.
Large numbers of those foes thus employed in shouting and
shooting weapons, the heroic son of Adhiratha crushed with his
arrows. With his shafts Karna then despatched to Yama’s abode
twenty car-warriors among the brave Pancala heroes, with their
steeds, drivers, and standards. Then many foremost of warriors of
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the Pandava army, endued with great energy and quick in the use
of weapons, speedily wheeling round, encompassed Karna on all
sides. Karna agitated that hostile force with showers of weapons
like the leader of an elephantine herd plunging into a lake adorned
with lotuses and covered with swans. Penetrating into the midst of
his foes, the son of Radha, shaking his best of bows, began to
strike off and fell their heads with his sharp shafts. The shield and
coats of mail of the warriors, cut off, fell down on the Earth.
There was none amongst them that needed the touch of a second
arrow of Karna’s. Like a driver striking the steeds with the whip,
Karna, with his shafts capable of crushing coats of mail and
bodies and the life that quickened them, struck the fences (of his
foes) perceivable only by their bow-strings. Like a lion grinding
herds of deer, Karna speedily grinded all those Pandus and
Srinjayas and Pancalas that came within range of his arrows.
Then the chief of the Pancalas, and the sons of Draupadi, O sire,
and the twins, and Yuyudhana, uniting together, proceeded against
Karna. When those Kurus, and Pancalas and Pandus were thus
engaged in battle, the other warriors, reckless of their very lives,
began to strike at one another. Well-cased in armour and coats of
mail and adorned with head-gears, combatants endued with great
strength rushed at their foes, with maces and short clubs and
spiked bludgeons looking like uplifted rods of the Destroyer, and
jumping, O sire, and challenging one another, uttered loud shouts.
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They struck one another, and fell down, assailed by one another
with blood rising from their limbs and deprived of brains and eyes
and weapons. Covered with weapons, some, as they lay there with
faces beautiful as pomegranates, having teeth-adorned mouths
filled with blood, seemed to be alive. Others, in that vast ocean of
battle, filled with rage mangled or cut or pierced or overthrew or
lopped off or slew one another with battle-axes and short arrows
and hooks and spears and lances. Slain by one another they fell
down, covered with blood and deprived of life like sandal trees
cut down with the axe falling down and shedding as they fall their
cool blood-red juice. Cars destroyed by cars, elephants by
elephants, men by men, and steeds by steeds, fell down in
thousands. Standards, and heads, and umbrellas, and elephants,
trunks, and human arms, cut off with razor-faced or broad-headed
or crescent-shaped arrows, fell down on the Earth. Large numbers
also of men, and elephants, and cars with steed yoked thereto,
were crushed in that battle. Many brave warriors, slain by
horsemen, fell down, and many tuskers, with their trunks cut off,
and banners and standards (on their bodies), fell down like fallen
mountains. Assailed by foot-soldiers, many elephants and cars,
destroyed or in course of destruction, fell down on all sides.
Horsemen, encountering foot-soldiers with activity, were slain by
the latter. Similarly crowds of foot-soldiers, slain by horsemen,
laid themselves down on the field. The faces and the limbs of
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those slain in that dreadful battle looked like crushed lotuses and
faded floral wreaths. The beautiful forms of elephants and steeds
and human beings, O king, then resembled cloths foul with dirt,
and became exceedingly repulsive to look at.’”
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22
“Sanjaya said, ‘Many elephant-warriors riding on their beasts,

urged by thy son, proceeded against Dhrishtadyumna, filled with
rage and desirous of compassing his destruction. Many foremost
of combatants skilled in elephant-fight, belonging to the
Easterners, the Southerners, the Angas, the Vangas, the Pundras,
the Magadhas, the Tamraliptakas, the Mekalas, the Koshalas, the
Madras, the Dasharnas, the Nishadas uniting with the Kalingas, O
Bharata, and showering shafts and lances and arrows like pouring
clouds, drenched the Pancala force therewith in that battle.
Prishata’s son covered with his arrows and shafts those (foe-
crushing) elephants urged forward by their riders with heels and
toes and hooks. Each of those beasts that were huge as hills, the
Pancala hero pierced with ten, eight, or six whetted shafts, O
Bharata. Beholding the prince of the Pancalas shrouded by those
elephants like the Sun by the clouds, the Pandus and the Pancalas
proceeded towards him (for his rescue) uttering loud roars and
armed with sharp weapons. Pouring their weapons upon those
elephants, those warriors began to dance the dance of heroes,
aided by the music of their bow-strings and the sound of their
palms, and urged by heroes beating the time. Then Nakula and
Sahadeva, and the sons of Draupadi, and the Prabhadrakas, and
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Satyaki, and Shikhandi, and Chekitana endued with great energy,-

-all those heroes—drenched those elephants from every side with
their weapons, like the clouds drenching the hills with their
showers. Those furious elephants, urged on by mleccha warriors
dragging down with their trunks men and steeds and cars, crushed
them with their feet. And some they pierced with the points of
their tusks, and some they raised aloft and dashed down on the
ground; others taken aloft on the tusks of those huge beasts, fell
down inspiring spectators with fear. Then Satyaki, piercing the
vitals of the elephant belonging to the king of the Vangas staying
before him, with a long shaft endued with great impetuosity,
caused it to fall down on the field of battle. Then Satyaki pierced
with another long shaft the chest of the rider whom he could not
hitherto touch, just as the latter was about to jump from the back
of his beast. Thus struck by Satwata, he fell down on the Earth.
“’Meanwhile Sahadeva, with three shafts shot with great care,

struck the elephant of Pundra, as it advanced against him like a
moving mountain, depriving it of its standard and driver and
armour and life. Having thus cut off that elephant, Sahadeva
proceeded against the chief of the Angas.
“’Nakula, however, causing Sahadeva to desist, himself afflicted

the ruler of the Angas with three long shafts, each resembling the
rod of Yama, and his foe’s elephant with a hundred arrows. Then
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the ruler of the Angas hurled at Nakula eight hundred lances

bright as the rays of the Sun. Each of these Nakula cut off into
three fragments. The son of Pandu then cut off the head of his
antagonist with a crescent-shaped arrow. At this that mleccha
king, deprived of life, fell down with the animal he rode. Upon the
fall of the prince of the Angas who was well-skilled in elephant-
lore, the elephant-men of the Angas, filled with rage, proceeded
with speed against Nakula, on their elephants decked with banners
that waved in the air, possessing excellent mouths, adorned with
housings of gold, and looking like blazing mountains, from desire
of crushing him to pieces. And many Mekalas and Utkalas, and
Kalingas, and Nishadas, and Tamraliptakas, also advanced against
Nakula, showering their shafts and lances, desirous of slaying
him. Then the Pandus, the Pancalas, and the Somakas, filled with
rage, rushed with speed for the rescue of Nakula shrouded by
those warriors like the Sun by the clouds. Then occurred a fierce
battle between those car-warriors and elephant-men, the former
showering their arrows and shafts the latter their lances by
thousands. The frontal globes and other limbs and the tusks and
adornments of the elephants, exceedingly pierced with shafts,
were split and mangled. Then Sahadeva, with four and sixty
impetuous arrows, quickly slew eight of those huge elephants
which fell down with their riders. And Nakula also, that delighter
of his race, bending his excellent bow with great vigour, with
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many straight shafts, slew many elephants. Then the Pancala

prince, and the grandson of Sini (Satyaki) and the sons of
Draupadi and the Prabhadrakas, and Shikhandi, drenched those
huge elephants with showers of shafts. Then in consequence of
those rain-charged clouds constituted by the Pandava warriors,
those hills constituted by the elephants of the foe, fell, struck
down by torrents of rain formed by their numerous shafts, like real
mountains struck down with a thunder-storm. Those leaders of the
Pandava car-warriors then, thus slaying those elephants of thine
cast their eyes on the hostile army, which, as it fled away at that
time resembled a river whose continents had been washed away.
Those warriors of Pandu’s son, having thus agitated that army of
thine, agitated it once more, and then rushed against Karna.’”
119
23
“Sanjaya said, ‘While Sahadeva, filled with rage, was thus

blasting thy host, Duhshasana, O great king, proceeded against
him, the brother against the brother. Beholding those two engaged
in dreadful combat, all the great car-warriors uttered leonine
shouts and waved their garments. Then, O Bharata, the mighty
son of Pandu was struck in the chest with three arrows by thy
angry son armed with bow. Then Sahadeva, O king, having first
pierced thy son with an arrow, pierced him again with seventy
arrows, and then his driver with three. Then Duhshasana, O
monarch, having cut off Sahadeva’s bow in that great battle,
pierced Sahadeva himself with three and seventy arrows in the
arms and the chest. Then Sahadeva filled with rage, took up a
sword, in that dreadful conflict, and whirling, hurled it quickly
towards the car of thy son. Cutting off Duhshasana’s bow with
string and arrow fixed on it, that large sword fell down on the
Earth like a snake from the firmament. Then the valiant Sahadeva
taking up another bow, shot a deadly shaft at Duhshasana. The
Kuru warrior, however, with his keen-edged sword, cut off into
two fragments that shaft, bright as the rod of Death, as it coursed
towards him. Then whirling that sharp sword, Duhshasana quickly
hurled it in that battle as his foe. Meanwhile that valiant warrior
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took up another bow with a shaft. Sahadeva, however, with the

greatest ease, cut off, with his keen shafts, that sword as it coursed
towards him, and caused it to fall down in that battle. Then, O
Bharata, thy son, in that dreadful battle, quickly sped four and
sixty shafts at the car of Sahadeva. Sahadeva, however, O king,
cut off every one of those numerous arrows as they coursed with
great impetuosity towards him, with five shafts of his. Checking
then those mighty shafts sped by thy son, Sahadeva, in that battle,
sped a large number of arrows at his foe. Cutting off each of those
shafts with three shafts of his, thy son uttered a loud shout,
making the whole Earth resound with it. Then Duhshasana, O
king, having pierced Sahadeva in that battle, struck the latter’s
driver with nine arrows. The valiant Sahadeva then, O monarch,
filled with rage, fixed on his bow-string a terrible shaft resembling
the Destroyer himself and forcibly drawing the bow, he sped that
shaft at thy son. Piercing with great speed through his strong
armour and body, that shaft entered the Earth, O king, like a snake
penetrating into an ant-hill. Then thy son, that great car-warrior,
swooned away, O king. Beholding him deprived of his senses, his
driver quickly took away the car, himself forcibly struck all the
while with keen arrows. Having vanquished the Kuru warrior
thus, the son of Pandu, beholding Duryodhana’s division, began to
crush it on all sides. Indeed, O king, as a man excited with wrath
121
crushes swarm of ants, even so, O Bharata did that son of Pandu
begin to crush the Kaurava host.’”
122
24
“Sanjaya said, ‘While Nakula was employed in destroying and

routing the Kaurava divisions in battle with great force,
Vikartana’s son Karna, filled with rage, checked him, O king.
Then Nakula smiling the while, addressed Karna, and said, “After
a long time, through the favour of the gods, I am seen by thee, and
thou also, O wretch, dost become the object of my sight. Thou art
the root of all these evils, this hostility, this quarrel. It is through
thy faults that the Kauravas are being thinned, encountering one
another. Slaying thee in battle today, I will regard myself as one
that has achieved his object, and the fever of my heart will be
dispelled.” Thus addressed by Nakula, the Suta’s son said unto
him the following words befitting a prince and a bowman in
particular, “Strike me, O hero. We desire to witness thy
manliness. Having achieved some feats in battle, O brave warrior,
thou shouldst then boast. O sire, they that are heroes fight in battle
to the best of their powers, without indulging in brag. Fight now
with me to the best of thy might. I will quell thy pride.” Having
said these words the Suta’s son quickly struck the son of Pandu
and pierced him, in that encounter, with three and seventy shafts.
Then Nakula, O Bharata, thus pierced by the Suta’s son, pierced
the latter in return with eighty shafts resembling snakes of virulent
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poison. Then Karna, that great bowman, cutting off his

antagonist’s bow with a number of arrows winged with gold and
whetted on stone, afflicted him with thirty arrows. Those arrows,
piercing through his armour drank his blood in that battle, like the
Nagas of virulent poison drinking water after having pierced
through the Earth. Then Nakula, taking up another formidable
bow whose back was decked with gold, pierced Karna with
twenty arrows and his driver with three. Then, O monarch, that
slayer of hostile heroes, viz., Nakula, filled with rage, cut off
Karna’s bow with a razor-headed shaft of great keenness. Smiling
the while, the heroic son of Pandu then struck the bowless Karna,
that foremost of car-warriors, with three hundred arrows.
Beholding Karna thus afflicted, O sire, by the son of Pandu, all the
carwarriors there, with the gods (in the welkin), were filled with
great wonder. Then Vikartana’s son Karna taking up another bow,
struck Nakula with five arrows in the shoulder-joint. With those
arrows sticking to him here, the son of Madri looked resplendent
like the Sun with his own rays while shedding his light on the
Earth. Then Nakula piercing Karna with seven shafts, once more,
O sire, cut off one of the horns of Karna’s bow. Then Karna,
taking up in that battle a tougher bow, filled the welkin on every
side of Nakula with his arrows. The mighty car-warrior, Nakula,
however, thus suddenly shrouded with the arrows shot from
Karna’s bow quickly cut off all those shafts with shafts of his
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own. Then was seen overspread in the welkin a vast number of

arrows like to the spectacle presented by the sky when it is filled
with myriads of roving fireflies. Indeed, the sky shrouded with
those hundreds of arrows shot (by both the warriors) looked, O
monarch, as if it was covered with flights of locusts. Those
arrows, decked with gold, issuing repeatedly in continuous lines,
looked beautiful like rows of cranes while flying through the
welkin. When the sky was thus covered with showers of arrows
and the sun himself hid from the view, no creature ranging the air
could descend on the Earth. When all sides were thus covered
with showers of arrows, those two high-souled warriors looked
resplendent like two Suns risen at the end of the Yuga.
Slaughtered with the shafts issuing from Karna’s bow the
Somakas, O monarch, greatly afflicted and feeling much pain,
began to breathe their last. Similarly, thy warriors, struck with the
shafts of Nakula, dispersed on all sides, O king, like clouds tossed
by the wind. The two armies thus slaughtered by those two
warriors with their mighty celestial shafts, retreated from the
range of those arrows and stood as spectators of the encounter.
When both the armies were driven off by means of the shafts of
Karna and Nakula, those two high-souled warriors began to pierce
each other with showers of shafts. Displaying their celestial
weapons on the field of battle, they quickly shrouded each other,
each desirous of compassing the destruction of the other. The
125
shafts shot by Nakula, dressed with Kanka and peacock feathers,

shrouding the Suta’s son, seemed to stay in the welkin. Similarly,
the shafts sped by the Suta’s son in that dreadful battle, shrouding
the son of Pandu, seemed to stay in the welkin. Shrouded within
arrowy chambers, both the warriors became invisible, like the Sun
and the Moon, O king, hidden by the clouds. Then Karna, filled
with rage and assuming a terrible aspect in the battle, covered the
son of Pandu with showers of arrows from every side. Completely
covered, O monarch, by the Suta’s son, the son of Pandu felt no
pain like the Maker of day when covered by the clouds. The son
of Adhiratha then, smiling the while, sped arrowy lines, O sire, in
hundreds and thousands, in that battle. With those shafts of the
high-souled Karna, an extensive shade seemed to rest on the field
of battle. Indeed, with those excellent shafts constantly issuing out
(of his bow), a shade was caused there like that formed by the
clouds. Then Karna, O monarch, cutting off the bow of the high-
souled Nakula, felled the latter’s driver from the car-niche with
the greatest ease. With four keen shafts, next, he quickly
despatched the four steeds of Nakula, O Bharata, to the abode of
Yama. With his shafts, he also cut off into minute fragments that
excellent car of his antagonist as also his standard and the
protectors of his car-wheels, and mace, and sword, and shield
decked with a hundred moons, and other utensils and equipments
of battle. Then Nakula, steedless and carless and armourless, O
126
monarch, quickly alighting from his car, stood, armed with a

spiked bludgeon. Even that terrible bludgeon, so uplifted by the
son of Pandu, the Suta’s son, O king, cut off with many keen
arrows capable of bearing a great strain. Beholding his adversary
weaponless. Karna began to strike him with many straight shafts,
but took care not to afflict him greatly. Thus struck in that battle
by that mighty warrior accomplished in weapons, Nakula, O king,
fled away precipitately in great affliction. Laughing repeatedly,
the son of Radha pursued him and placed his stringed bow, O
Bharata, around the neck of the retreating Nakula. With the large
bow around his neck, O king, the son of Pandu looked resplendent
like Moon in the firmament when within a circular halo of light,
or a white cloud girdled round by Indra’s bow. Then Karna,
addressing him, said, “The words thou hadst uttered were futile.
Canst thou utter them now once more in joy, repeatedly struck as
thou art by me? Do not, O son of Pandu, fight again with those
amongst the Kurus that are possessed of greater might. O child,
fight with them that are thy equals. Do not, O son of Pandu, feel
any shame for it. Return home, O son of Madri, or go thither
where Krishna and Phalguna are.” Having addressed him thus he
abandoned him then. Acquainted with morality as the brave Karna
was, he did not then slay Nakula who was already within the jaws
of death. Recollecting the words of Kunti, O king, Karna let
Nakula go. The son of Pandu, thus let off, O king, by that
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bowman, Suta’s son, proceeded towards Yudhishthira’s car in

great shame. Scorched by the Suta’s son, he then ascended his
brother’s car, and burning with grief he continued to sigh like a
snake kept within a jar. Meanwhile Karna, having vanquished
Nakula, quickly proceeded against the Pancalas, riding on that car
of his which bore many gorgeous pennons and whose steeds were
as white as the Moon. There, O monarch, a great uproar arose
among the Pandavas when they saw the leader of the Kaurava
army proceeding towards the Pancala car-throngs. The Suta’s son,
O monarch, made a great massacre there at that hour when the
Sun had reached the meridian, that puissant warrior careering all
the while with the activity of a wheel. We beheld many Pancala
car-warriors borne away from the battle on their steedless and
driverless cars with broken wheels and broken axles and with
standards and pennons also that were broken and torn, O sire. And
many elephants were seen to wander there in all directions (with
limbs scorched by arrows) like individuals of their species in the
wide forest with limbs scorched and burned in a forest
conflagration. Others with their frontal globes split open, or
bathed in blood, or with trunks lopped off, or with their armour
cut down, or their tails lopped off, fell down, struck by the high-
souled Karna, like straggling clouds. Other elephants, frightened
by the shafts and lances of Radha’s son proceeded against
Radha’s son himself like insects towards a blazing fire. Other
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huge elephants were seen striking against one another and

shedding blood from various limbs like mountains with rillets
running down their breasts. Steeds of the foremost breed, divested
of breast-plates and their ornaments of silver and brass and gold,
destitute of trappings and bridle-bits and yak-tails and saddle-
cloths, with quivers fallen off from their backs, and with their
heroic riders,--ornaments of battle,--slain, were seen wandering
here and there on the field. Pierced and cut with lances and
scimitars and swords, O Bharata, we beheld many a horseman
adorned with armour and head-gear, slain or in course of being
slain or trembling with fear, and deprived, O Bharata, of diverse
limbs. Cars also, decked with gold, and unto which were yoked
steeds of great fleetness, were seen by us dragged with exceeding
speed hither and thither, their riders having been slain. Some of
these had their axles and poles broken, and some, O Bharata, had
their wheels broken; and some were without banners and
standards, and some were divested of their shafts. Many car-
warriors also were seen there, by us, O monarch, wandering all
around, deprived of their cars and scorched with the shafts of the
Suta’s son. And some destitute of weapons and some with
weapons still in their arms were seen lying lifeless on the field in
large numbers. And many elephants also were seen by us,
wandering in all directions, studded with clusters of stars, adorned
with rows of beautiful bells, and decked with variegated banners
129
of diverse hues. Heads and arms and chests and other limbs, cut
off with shafts sped from Karna’s bow, were beheld by us lying
around. A great and fierce calamity overtook the warriors (of the
Pandava army) as they fought with whetted arrows, and mangled
as they were with the shafts of Karna. The Srinjayas, slaughtered
in that battle by the Suta’s son, blindly proceeded against the
latter’s self like insects rushing upon a blazing fire. Indeed, as that
mighty car-warrior was engaged in scorching the Pandava
divisions, the kshatriyas avoided him, regarding him to be the
blazing Yuga fire. Those heroic and mighty car-warriors of the
Pancala that survived the slaughter fled away. The brave Karna,
however, pursued those broken and retreating warriors from
behind, shooting his shafts at them. Endued with great energy, he
pursued those combatants divested of armour and destitute of
standards. Indeed, the Suta’s son, possessed of great might,
continued to scorch them with his shafts, like the dispeller of
darkness scorching all creatures when he attains to the meridian.’”
130
25
“Sanjaya said, ‘Against Yuyutsu who was employed in routing the

vast army of thy son, Uluka proceeded with speed saying “Wait,
Wait.” Then Yuyutsu, O king, with a winged arrow of keen edge
struck Uluka with great force, like (Indra himself striking ) a
mountain with the thunderbolt. Filled with rage at this, Uluka, in
that battle, cut off thy son’s bow with a razor-headed arrow and
struck thy son himself with a barbed shaft. Casting off that
broken bow, Yuyutsu, with eyes red in wrath, took up another
formidable bow endued with greater impetus. The prince then, O
bull of Bharata’s race, pierced Uluka with sixty arrows. Piercing
next the driver of Uluka, Yuyutsu struck Uluka once more. Then
Uluka, filled with rage pierced Yuyutsu with twenty shafts
adorned with gold, and then cut off his standard made of gold.
That lofty and gorgeous standard made of gold, O king, thus cut
off (by Uluka), fell down in front of Yuyutsu’s car. Beholding his
standard cut off, Yuyutsu, deprived of his senses by wrath, struck
Uluka with five shafts in the centre of the chest. Then Uluka, O
sire, in that battle, cut off, with a broad-headed arrow steeped in
oil, the head of his antagonist’s driver, O best of the Bharatas.
Slaying next his four steeds he struck Yuyutsu himself with five
arrows.
131
Deeply struck by the strong Uluka, Yuyutsu proceeded to another

car. Having vanquished him in battle, O king, Uluka proceeded
quickly towards the Pancalas and the Srinjayas and began to
slaughter them with sharp shafts. Thy son Srutakarman, O
monarch, within half the time taken up by a wink of the eye,
fearlessly made Satanika steedless and driverless and carless. The
mighty car-warrior Satanika, however, staying on his steedless
car, O sire, hurled a mace, filled with rage, at thy son. That mace,
reducing thy son’s car with its steeds and driver into fragments,
fell down upon the Earth with great speed, and pierced it through.
Then those two heroes, both enhancers of the glory of the Kurus,
deprived of their cars, retreated from the encounter, glaring at
each other. Then thy son, overcome with fear, mounted upon the
car of Vivingsu, while Satanika quickly got upon the car of
Prativindhya. Shakuni, filled with rage, pierced Sutasoma with
many keen shafts, but failed to make the latter tremble like a
torrent of water failing to produce any impression upon a
mountain. Beholding that great enemy of his father, Sutasoma
covered Shakuni, O Bharata, with many thousands of arrows.
Shakuni, however, that warrior of sure aim and conversant with
all methods of warfare, actuated by desire of battle, quickly cut off
all those shafts with his own winged arrows. Having checked
those shafts with his own keen arrows in battle, Shakuni, filled
with rage, struck Sutasoma with three arrows. Thy brother-in-law
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then, O monarch, with his arrows cut off into minute fragments
the steeds, the standard, and the driver of his adversary, at which
all the spectators uttered a loud shout. Deprived of his steed and
car, and having his standard cut off, O sire, the great bowman
(Sutasoma), jumping down from his car, stood on the Earth,
having taken up a good bow. And he shot a large number of
arrows equipped with golden wings and whetted on stone, and
shrouded therewith the car of thy brother-in law in that battle. The
son of Subala, however, beholding those showers of arrows that
resembled a flight of locusts, coming towards his car, did not
tremble. On the other hand, that illustrious warrior crushed all
those arrows with arrows of his own. The warriors that were
present there, as also the Siddhas in the firmament, were highly
pleased at sight of that wonderful and incredible feat of Sutasoma,
inasmuch as he contended on foot with Shakuni staying in his car.
Then Shakuni, with a number of broad-headed shafts of great
impetuosity, keen and perfectly straight, cut off, O king, the bow
of Sutasoma as also all his quivers. Bowless, and carless,
Sutasoma then, uplifting a scimitar of the hue of the blue lotus and
equipped with an ivory handle, uttered a loud shout. That scimitar
of the intelligent Sutasoma of the hue of the clear sky, as it was
whirled by that hero, was regarded by Shakuni to be as fatal as the
rod of Death. Armed with that scimitar he suddenly began to
career in circles over the arena, displaying, O monarch, the
133
fourteen different kinds of manoeuvres, endued as he was with

skill and might. Indeed, he displayed in that battle all those
motions such as wheeling about and whirling on high, and making
side-thrusts and jumping forward and leaping on high and running
above and rushing forward and rushing upwards. The valiant son
of Subala then sped a number of arrows at his foe, but the latter
quickly cut them off with that excellent scimitar of his as they
coursed towards him. Filled with rage (at this), the son of Subala,
O king, once more sped at Sutasoma a number of shafts that
resembled snakes of virulent poison. Aided by his skill and
might, Sutasoma cut off even these with his scimitar, displaying
his great activity, and possessed as he was of prowess equal to that
of Garuda himself. With a razor-headed arrow of great sharpness,
Shakuni then, O king, cut off that bright scimitar of his adversary
as the latter careered in circles before him. Thus cut off, (half of)
that large scimitar suddenly fell down on the Earth, while half of
it, O Bharata, continued in the grasp of Sutasoma. Seeing his
sword cut off, the mighty car-warrior Sutasoma retreated six steps
and then hurled that half (of the scimitar) which he had in his
grasp at his foe. The fragment decked with gold and gems,
cutting off the bow, with string, of the illustrious Shakuni, quickly
fell down on the Earth. Then Sutasoma went to the great car of
Srutakirti. Subala’s son also, taking up another formidable and
invincible bow, proceeded towards the Pandava army, slaying
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large numbers of foes (on the way). Beholding the son of Subala
careering fearlessly in battle, a loud uproar, O king, arose among
the Pandavas in that part of the army. People witnessed those
large and proud divisions bristling with arms, routed by the
illustrious son of Subala. Even as the chief of the celestials
crushed the Daitya army, the son of Subala destroyed that army of
the Pandavas.’”
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26
“Sanjaya said, ‘Kripa, O king, resisted Dhrishtadyumna in battle,

like a Sarabha in the forest resisting a proud lion. Checked by the
mighty son of Gautama, Prishata’s son, O Bharata, could not
advance even one step. Beholding Gautama’s car in front of
Dhrishtadyumna’s, all creatures were inspired with fright and
regarded the latter’s destruction to be at hand. Car-warriors and
horsemen, becoming very cheerless, said, “Without doubt, this
foremost of men, Sharadvata’s son of mighty energy and great
intelligence and versed in celestial weapon, is filled with rage at
the death of Drona. Will Dhrishtadyumna today escape from the
hands of Gautama? Will this vast army escape today this great
danger? Will not this brahmana slay all of us together? The form
that he has assumed today, even like that of the Destroyer himself,
shows that he will today act after the manner of Drona himself.
The preceptor Gautama, endued with great lightness of hands, is
ever victorious in battle. Possessing a knowledge of weapons, he
is endued with great energy and filled with rage.” Diverse
speeches like these, uttered by the warriors of both the armies
were, O monarch, heard there as those two heroes encountered
each other. Drawing deep breath in rage, Sharadvata’s son Kripa,
O king, began to afflict the son of Prishata in all his vital limbs
136
while the latter stood inactive. Struck in that battle by the

illustrious Gautama, Dhrishtadyumna, greatly stupefied, knew not
what to do. His driver then, addressing him said, “It is not all right
with thee, O son of Prishata. Never before have I seen such a
calamity overtake thee in battle. It is a lucky chance, it seems, that
these shafts, capable of penetrating the very vitals, sped by that
foremost of brahmanas aiming at thy vital limbs, are not striking
thee. I will presently cause the car to turn back, like the current of
a river dashed back by the sea. I think that brahmana, by whom
thy prowess hath been annihilated, is incapable of being slain by
thee.” Thus addressed, Dhrishtadyumna, O king, slowly said, “My
mind becometh stupefied, O sire, and perspiration covereth my
limbs. My body trembles and my hair stands on end. Avoiding
that brahmana in battle, proceed slowly to where Arjuna is, O
charioteer; arrived at the presence of either Arjuna or Bhimasena,
prosperity may be mine. Even this is my certain conviction.”
Then, O monarch, the charioteer, urging the steeds, proceeded to
the spot where the mighty bowman Bhimasena was battling with
thy troops. Beholding the car, O sire, of Dhrishtadyumna speedily
moving away from that spot, Gautama followed it, shooting
hundreds of shafts. And that chastiser of foes also repeatedly blew
his conch. Indeed, he routed the son of Prishata like Indra routing
the Danava Namuci.
137
“’The invincible Shikhandi, the cause of Bhishma’s death, was in

that battle, resisted by Hridika’s son who smiled repeatedly as he
fought with the former. Shikhandi, however, encountering the
mighty car-warrior of the Hridikas, struck him with five keen and
broad-headed shafts at the shoulder-joint. Then the mighty car-
warrior Kritavarma filled with rage, pierced his foe with sixty
winged arrows. With a single arrow then, he cut off his bow,
laughing the while. The mighty son of Drupada, filled with wrath,
took up another bow, and addressing the son of Hridika, said,
“Wait, Wait.” Then, O monarch, Shikhandi sped at his foe ninety
shafts of great impetuosity, all equipped with golden wings. Those
shafts, however, all recoiled from Kritavarma’s armour. Seeing
those shafts recoil and scattered on the surface of the Earth,
Shikhandi cut off Kritavarma’s bow with a keen razor-headed
arrow. Filled with wrath he struck the bowless son of Hridika,
who then resembled a hornless bull, in the arms and the chest,
with eighty arrows. Filled with rage but torn and mangled with
shafts, Kritavarma vomited blood through his limbs like a jar
disgorging the water with which it is filled. Bathed in blood, the
Bhoja king looked beautiful like a mountain, O king, streaked
with streams of liquefied red chalk after a shower. The puissant
Kritavarma then, taking up another bow with a string and an
arrow fixed thereon, struck Shikhandi in his shoulder-joint. With
those shafts sticking to his shoulder-joint, Shikhandi looked
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resplendent like a lordly tree with its spreading branches and

twigs. Having pierced each other, the two combatants were bathed
in blood, and resembled a couple of bulls that have gored each
other with their horns Carefully exerting themselves to slay each
other, those two mighty car-warriors moved in a 1,000 circles
with their respective cars on that arena. Then Kritavarma, O king,
in that encounter, pierced the son of Prishata with seventy shafts
all of which were equipped with wings of gold and whetted on
stone. The ruler of the Bhojas then, that foremost of smiters, sped
with great activity a terrible and fatal shaft at his foe. Struck
therewith, Shikhandi quickly swooned away. Overcome with
stupefaction, he supported himself by seizing his flag-staff. The
driver then of that foremost of car-warriors speedily bore him
away from the fight. Scorched with the shaft of Hridika’s son he
drew breath upon breath repeatedly. After the defeat of the heroic
son of Drupada, O lord, the Pandava army, slaughtered on all
sides, fled away from the field.”
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27
“Sanjaya said, ‘The white steeded (Arjuna) also, O monarch,

routed thy force even as the winds, approaching a heap of cotton,
scatters it on all sides. Against him rushed the Trigartas, the Sivis,
the Kauravas, the Salwas, the samsaptakas, and that force which
consisted of the Narayanas. And Satyasena and Candradeva, and
Mitradeva and Satrunjaya, and Susruta’s son, and Citrasena, and
Mitravarman, O Bharata, and the king of the Trigartas surrounded
by his brothers and by his sons that were all mighty bowmen
accomplished in diverse weapons, suddenly advanced, shooting
and scattering showers of shafts in that battle, against Arjuna, like
a fierce current of water towards the ocean. Those warriors in
hundreds of thousands, approaching Arjuna, seemed to melt away
like snakes at sight of Garuda. Though slaughtered in battle, they
did not still leave the son of Pandu like insects, O monarch, never
receding from a blazing fire. Satyasena, in that encounter, pierced
that son of Pandu with three arrows, and Mitradeva pierced him
with three and sixty, and Candradeva with seven. And
Mitravarman pierced him with three and seventy arrows, and
Susruta’s son with seven. And Satrunjaya pierced him with
twenty, and Susharma with nine. Thus pierced in that encounter
by many, Arjuna pierced all those kings in return. Indeed, piercing
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the son of Susruta with seven arrows, he pierced Satyasena with

three, Satrunjaya with twenty and Candradeva with eight,
Mitradeva with a hundred, Srutasena with three, Mitravarman
with nine, and Susharma with eight. Then slaying king Satrunjaya
with a number of arrows whetted on stone, he smote off from his
trunk, the head, decked with headgear, of Susruta’s son. Without
any delay he then, with a number of other shafts, despatched
Candradeva to the abode of Yama. As regards the other mighty
car-warriors vigorously contending with him, he checked each of
them with five arrows. Then Satyasena filled with rage, hurled a
formidable lance in that battle aiming at Krishna and uttered a
leonine roar. That ironmouthed lance having a golden shaft,
piercing through the left arm of the high-souled Madhava,
penetrated into the Earth. Madhava being thus pierced with that
lance in great battle the goad and the reins, O king, fell down from
his hands. Beholding Vasudeva’s limb pierced through, Pritha’s
son Dhananjaya mustered all his wrath and addressing Vasudeva
said, “O mighty-armed one, bear the car to Satyasena, O puissant
one, so that I may, with keen shafts, despatch him to Yama’s
abode.” The illustrious Keshava then, quickly taking up the goad
and the reins, caused the steeds to bear the car to the front of
Satyasena’s vehicle. Beholding the Ruler of the Universe pierced,
Pritha’s son Dhananjaya, that mighty car-warrior, checking
Satyasena with some keen arrows, cut off with a number of broad-
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headed shafts of great sharpness, the large head of that king

decked with earrings, from off his trunk at the head of the army.
Having thus cut off Satyasena’s head, he then despatched
Citravarman with a number of keen shafts, and then the latter’s
driver, O sire, with a keen calf-toothed arrow. Filled with rage, the
mighty Partha then, with hundreds of shafts, felled the
samsaptakas in hundreds and thousands. Then, O king, with a
razor-headed arrow equipped with wings of silver, that mighty
car-warrior cut off the head of the illustrious Mitrasena. Filled
with rage he then struck Susharma in the shoulder-joint. Then all
the samsaptakas, filled with wrath, encompassed Dhananjaya on
all sides and began to afflict him with showers of weapons and
make all the points of the compass resound with their shouts.
Afflicted by them thus, the mighty car-warrior Jishnu, of
immeasurable soul, endued with prowess resembling that of Sakra
himself, invoked the Aindra weapon. From that weapon,
thousands of shafts, O king, began to issue continually. Then O
king, a loud din was heard of falling cars with standards and
quivers and yokes, and axles and wheels and traces with chords,
of bottoms of cars and wooden fences around them, of arrows and
steeds and spears and swords, and maces and spiked clubs and
darts and lances and axes, and Sataghnis equipped with wheels
and arrows. Thighs and necklaces and Angadas and Keyuras, O
sire, and garlands and cuirasses and coats of mail, O Bharata, and
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umbrellas and fans and heads decked with diadems lay on the
battle-field. Heads adorned with earrings and beautiful eyes, and
each resembling the full moon, looked, as they lay on the field,
like stars in the firmament. Adorned with sandal-paste, beautiful
garlands of flowers and excellent robes, many were the bodies of
slain warriors that were seen to lie on the ground. The field of
battle, terrible as it was, looked like the welkin teeming with
vapoury forms. With the slain princes and kshatriyas of great
might and fallen elephants and steeds, the Earth became
impassable in that battle as if she were strewn with hills. There
was no path on the field for the wheels of the illustrious Pandava’s
car, engaged as he was in continually slaying his foes and striking
down elephants and steeds with his broad-headed shafts. It
seemed, O sire, that the wheels of his car stopped in fright at the
sight of his own self careering in that battle through that bloody
mire. His steeds, however, endued with the speed of the mind or
the wind, dragged with great efforts and labour those wheels that
had refused to move. Thus slaughtered by Pandu’s son armed with
the bow, that host fled away almost entirely, without leaving even
a remnant, O Bharata, contending with the foe. Having
vanquished large numbers of the samsaptakas in battle, Pritha’s
son Jishnu looked resplendent, like a blazing fire without
smoke.’”
143
28
“Sanjaya said, ‘King Duryodhana, O monarch, himself fearlessly

received Yudhishthira, as the latter was engaged in shooting large
numbers of shafts. The royal Yudhishthira the just, speedily
piercing thy son, that mighty car-warrior, as the latter was rushing
towards him with impetuosity, addressed him, saying, “Wait,
Wait.” Duryodhana, however, pierced Yudhishthira, in return,
with nine keen arrows, and filled with great wrath, struck
Yudhishthira’s driver also with a broad-headed shaft. Then king
Yudhishthira sped at Duryodhana three and ten arrows equipped
with wings of gold and whetted on stone. With four shafts that
mighty car-warrior then slew the four steeds of his foe, and with
the fifth he cut off from his trunk the head of Duryodhana’s
driver. With the sixth arrow he felled the (Kuru) king’s standard
on the Earth, with the seventh his bow, and with the eighth his
scimitar. And then with five more shafts king Yudhishthira the
just deeply afflicted the Kuru monarch. Thy son, then, alighting
from that steedless car, stood on the Earth in imminent danger.
Beholding him in that situation of great peril, Karna and Drona’s
son and Kripa and others rushed suddenly towards the spot,
desirous of rescuing the king. Then the (other) sons of Pandu,
surrounding Yudhishthira, all proceeded to the encounter, upon
144
which, O king, a fierce battle was fought. Thousands of trumpets

then were blown in that great engagement, and a confused din of
myriad voices arose there, O king. There where the Pancalas
engaged the Kauravas, in battle, men closed with men, and
elephants with foremost of elephants. And car-warriors closed
with car-warriors, and horse with horse. And the various couples
of battling men and animals, of great prowess and armed with
diverse kinds of weapons and possessed of great skill presented a
beautiful sight, O king, over the field. All those heroes endued
with great impetuosity and desirous of compassing the destruction
of one another, fought beautifully and with great activity and skill.
Observing the (sanctioned) practices of warriors, they slew one
another in battle. None of them fought from behind others. For
only a very short time that battle presented a beautiful aspect.
Soon it became an encounter of mad men, in which the
combatants showed no regard for one another. The car-warrior,
approaching the elephant, pierced the latter with keen shafts and
despatched it to Yama’s presence by means of straight arrows.
Elephants, approaching steeds, dragged down many of them in
that battle, and tore them (with their tusks) most fiercely in
diverse places. Large numbers of horsemen also, encompassing
many foremost of steeds, made a loud noise with their palms, and
closed with them. And those horsemen slew those steeds as they
ran hither and thither, as also many huge elephants as these
145
wandered over the field, from behind and the flanks. Infuriate
elephants, O king, routing large numbers of steeds, slew them
with their tusks or crushed them with great force. Some elephants,
filled with wrath pierced with their tusks horses with horsemen.
Others seizing such with great force hurled them to the ground
with violence. Many elephants, struck by foot-soldiers availing of
the proper opportunities, uttered terrible cries of pain and fled
away on all sides. Among the foot-soldiers that fled away in that
great battle throwing down their ornaments, there were many that
were quickly encompassed on the field. Elephant-warriors, riding
on huge elephants, understanding indications of victory, wheeled
their beasts and causing them to seize those beautiful ornaments,
made the beasts to pierce them with their tusks. Other foot-
soldiers endued with great impetuosity and fierce might,
surrounding those elephant-warriors thus engaged in those spots
began to slay them. Others in that great battle, thrown aloft into
the air by elephants with their trunks, were pierced by those
trained beasts with the points of their tusks as they fell down.
Others, suddenly seized by other elephants, were deprived of life
with their tusks. Others, borne away from their own divisions into
the midst of others, were, O king, mangled by huge elephants
which rolled them repeatedly on the ground. Others, whirled on
high like fans, were slain in that battle. Others, hither and thither
on the field, that stood full in front of other elephants had their
146
bodies exceedingly pierced and torn. Many elephants were deeply

wounded with spears and lances and darts in their cheeks and
frontal globes and parts between their tusks. Exceedingly afflicted
by fierce car-warriors and horsemen stationed on their flanks,
many elephants, ripped open, fell down on the Earth. In that
dreadful battle many horsemen on their steeds, striking foot-
soldiers with their lances, pinned them down to the Earth or
crushed them with great force. Some elephants, approaching mail-
clad car-warriors, O sire, raised them aloft from their vehicles and
hurled them down with great force upon the Earth in that fierce
and awful fight. Some huge elephants slain by means of cloth-
yard shafts, fell down on the Earth like mountain summits riven
by thunder. Combatants, encountering combatants, began to strike
each other with their fists, or seizing each other by the hair, began
to drag and throw down and mangle each other. Others, stretching
their arms and throwing down their foes on the Earth, placed their
feet on their chests and with great activity cut off their heads.
Some combatant, O king, struck with his feet some foe that was
dead, and some, O king, struck off with his sword, the head of a
falling foe, and some thrust his weapon into the body of a living
foe. A fierce battle took place there, O Bharata, in which the
combatants struck one another with fists or seized one another’s
hair or wrestled with one another with bare arms. In many
instances, combatants, using diverse kinds of weapons, took the
147
lives of combatants engaged with others and, therefore,

unperceived by them. During the progress of that general
engagement when all the combatants were mangled in battle,
hundreds and thousands of headless trunks stood up on the field.
Weapons and coats of mail, drenched with gore, looked
resplendent, like cloths dyed with gorgeous red. Even thus
occurred that fierce battle marked by the awful clash of weapons.
Like the mad and roaring current of the Ganga it seemed to fill the
whole universe with its uproar. Afflicted with shafts, the warriors
failed to distinguish friends from foes. Solicitous of victory, the
kings fought on because they fought that fight they should. The
warriors slew both friends and foes, with whom they came in
contact. The combatants of both the armies were deprived of
reason by the heroes of both the armies assailing them with fury.
With broken cars, O monarch, the fallen elephants, and steeds
lying on the ground, and men laid low, the Earth, miry with gore
and flesh, and covered with streams of blood, soon became
impassable, Karna slaughtered the Pancalas while Dhananjaya
slaughtered the Trigartas. And Bhimasena, O king, slaughtered the
Kurus and all the elephant divisions of the latter. Even thus
occurred that destruction of troops of both the Kurus and the
Pandavas, both parties having been actuated by the desire of
winning great fame, at that hour when the Sun had passed the
meridian.’”
148
149
29
“Dhritarashtra said, ‘I have heard from thee, O Sanjaya, of many

poignant and unbearable griefs as also of the losses sustained by
my sons. From what thou hast said unto me, from the manner in
which the battle has been fought, it is my certain conviction, O
Suta, that the Kauravas are no more. Duryodhana was made
carless in that dreadful battle. How did Dharma’s son (then) fight,
and how did the royal Duryodhana also fight in return? How also
occurred that battle which was fought in the afternoon? Tell me
all this in detail, for thou art skilled in narration, O Sanjaya.’
“Sanjaya said, ‘When the troops of both armies were engaged in

battle, according to their respective divisions, thy son
Duryodhana, O king, riding on another car and filled with rage
like a snake of virulent poison, beholding king Yudhishthira the
just, quickly addressed his own driver, O Bharata, saying,
“Proceed, proceed, quickly take me there, O driver, where the
royal son of Pandu, clad in mail shineth under yon umbrella held
over his head.” Thus urged by the king, the driver, in that battle,
quickly urged his royal master’s goodly car towards the face of
Yudhishthira. At this, Yudhishthira also, filled with rage and
looking like an infuriate elephant, urged his own driver saying,
“Proceed to where Suyodhana is.” Then those two heroes and
150
brothers and foremost of car-warriors encountered each other.

Both endued with great energy, both filled with wrath, both
difficult of defeat in battle, approaching each other, those two
great bowmen began to mangle each other with their arrows in
that battle. Then king Duryodhana, in that encounter, O sire, with
a broad-headed arrow whetted on stone, cut in twain the bow of
the virtuous monarch. Filled with rage, Yudhishthira could not
brook that insult. Casting aside his broken bow, with eyes red in
wrath, Dharma’s son took up another bow at the head of his
forces, and then cut off Duryodhana’s standard and bow.
Duryodhana then, taking up another bow, pierced the son of
Pandu. Filled with rage, they continued to shoot showers of shafts
at each other. Desirous of vanquishing each other, they resembled
a pair of angry lions. They struck each other in that battle like a
couple of roaring bulls. Those mighty car-warriors continued to
career, expecting to find each other’s lapses. Then wounded with
shafts sped from bows drawn to their fullest stretch the two
warriors, O king, looked resplendent like flowering Kinsukas.
They then, O king, repeatedly uttered leonine roars. Those two
rulers of men, in that dreadful battle, also made loud sounds with
their palms and caused their bows to twang loudly. And they blew
their conchs too with great force. And they afflicted each other
very much. Then king Yudhishthira, filled with rage, struck thy
son in the chest with three irresistible shafts endued with force of
151
thunder. Him, however, thy royal son quickly pierced, in return,

with five keen shafts winged with gold and whetted on stone.
Then king Duryodhana, O Bharata, hurled a dart capable of
slaying everybody, exceedingly keen, and resembling a large
blazing brand. As it advanced, king Yudhishthira the just, with
sharp shafts, speedily cut it off into three fragments, and then
pierced Duryodhana also with five arrows. Equipped with golden
staff, and producing a loud whizz, that dart then fell down, and
while falling, looked resplendent like a large brand with blazing
flames. Beholding the dart baffled, thy son, O monarch, struck
Yudhishthira with nine sharp and keen-pointed arrows. Pierced
deeply by his mighty foe, that scorcher of foes quickly took up an
arrow for aiming it at Duryodhana. The mighty Yudhishthira then
placed that arrow on his bow-string. Filled with rage and
possessed of great valour, the son of Pandu then shot it at his foe.
That arrow, striking thy son, that mighty car-warrior, stupefied
him and then (passing through his body) entered the Earth. Then
Duryodhana, filled with wrath, uplifting a mace of great
impetuosity, rushed at king Yudhishthira the just, for ending the
hostilities (that raged between the Kurus and the Pandus).
Beholding him armed with that uplifted mace and resembling
Yama himself with his bludgeon, king Yudhishthira the just
hurled at thy son a mighty dart blazing with splendour, endued
with great impetuosity, and looking like a large blazing brand.
152
Deeply pierced in the chest by that dart as he stood on his car, the
Kuru prince, deeply pained, fell down and swooned away. Then
Bhima, recollecting his own vow, addressed Yudhishthira, saying,
“This one should not be slain by thee, O king.” At this
Yudhishthira abstained from giving his foe the finishing blow. At
that time Kritavarma, quickly advancing, came upon thy royal son
then sunk in an ocean of calamity. Bhima then, taking up a mace
adorned with gold and flaxen chords, rushed impetuously towards
Kritavarma in that battle. Thus occurred the battle between thy
troops and the foe on that afternoon, O monarch, every one of the
combatants being inspired with the desire of victory.’”
153
30
“Sanjaya said, ‘Placing Karna at their van, thy warriors, difficult

of defeat in fight, returned and fought (with the foe) a battle that
resembled that between the gods and the Asuras. Excited by the
loud uproar made by elephants and men and cars and steeds and
conchs, elephant-men and car-warriors and foot-soldiers and
horsemen, in large numbers, filled with wrath advanced against
the foe and slew the latter with strokes of diverse kinds of
weapons. Elephants and cars, steeds and men, in that dreadful
battle were destroyed by brave warriors with sharp battle axes and
swords and axes and shafts of diverse kinds and by means also of
their animals. Strewn with human heads that were adorned with
white teeth and fair faces and beautiful eyes and goodly noses,
and graced with beautiful diadems and earrings, and everyone of
which resembled the lotus, the Sun, or the Moon, the Earth looked
exceedingly resplendent. Elephants and men and steeds, by
thousands, were slain with hundreds of spiked clubs and short
bludgeons and darts and lances and hooks and Bhusundis and
maces. The blood that fell formed a river like currents on the field.
In consequence of those car-warriors and men and steeds and
elephants slain by the foe, and lying with ghostly features and
gaping wounds, the field of battle looked like the domains of the
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king of the dead at the time of universal dissolution. Then, O god

among men, thy troops, and those bulls amongst the Kurus, viz.,
thy sons resembling the children of the celestials, with a host of
warriors of immeasurable might at their van, all proceeded against
Satyaki, that bull of Sini’s race. Thereupon that host, teeming with
many foremost of men and steeds and cars and elephants,
producing an uproar loud as that of the vast deep, and resembling
the army of the Asuras or that of the celestials, shone with fierce
beauty. Then the son of Surya, resembling the chief of the
celestials himself in prowess and like unto the younger brother of
Indra, struck that foremost one of Sini’s race with shafts whose
splendour resembled the rays of the Sun. That bull of Sini’s race
also, in that battle, then quickly shrouded that foremost of men,
with his car and steeds and driver, with diverse kinds of shafts
terrible as the poison of the snake. Then many Atirathas belonging
to thy army, accompanied by elephants and cars and foot-soldiers,
quickly approached that bull among car-warriors, viz., Vasusena,
when they beheld the latter deeply afflicted with the shafts of that
foremost hero of Sini’s race. That force, however, vast as the
ocean, assailed by foes possessed of great quickness viz., the
Pandava warriors headed by the sons of Drupada, fled away from
the field. At that time a great carnage occurred of men and cars
and steeds and elephants. Then those two foremost of men, viz.,
Arjuna and Keshava, having said their daily prayer and duly
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worshipped the lord Bhava, quickly rushed against thy troops,

resolved to slay those foes of theirs. Their foes (i.e., the Kurus)
cast their eyes cheerlessly on that car whose rattle resembled the
roar of the clouds and whose banners waved beautifully in the air
and which had white steeds yoked unto it and which was coming
towards them. Then Arjuna, bending Gandiva and as if dancing on
his car, filled the welkin and all the points of the compass,
cardinal and subsidiary, with showers of shafts, not leaving the
smallest space empty. Like the tempest destroying the clouds, the
son of Pandu destroyed with his arrows many cars looking like
celestial vehicles, that were well-adorned, and equipped with
weapons and standards, along with their drivers. Many elephants
also, with the men that guided them, adorned with truimphal
banners and weapons, and many horsemen with horses, and many
foot-soldiers also, Arjuna despatched with his arrows to Yama’s
abode. Then Duryodhana singly proceeded against that mighty
car-warrior who was angry and irresistible and resembled a
veritable Yama, striking him with his straight shafts. Arjuna,
cutting off his adversary’s bow and driver and steeds and standard
with seven shafts, next cut off his umbrella with one arrow.
Obtaining then an opportunity, he sped at Duryodhana an
excellent shaft, capable of taking the life of the person struck.
Drona’s son, however, cut off that shaft into seven fragments.
Cutting off then the bow of Drona’s son and slaying the four
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steeds of the latter with his arrow, the son of Pandu next cut off
the formidable bow of Kripa too. Then cutting off the bow of
Hridika’s son, he felled the latter’s standard and steeds. Then
cutting off the bow of Duhshasana, he proceeded against the son
of Radha. At this, Karna, leaving Satyaki quickly pierced Arjuna
with three arrows and Krishna with twenty, and Partha again
repeatedly. Although many were the arrows that he shot while
slaying his foes in that battle, like Indra himself inspired with
wrath, Karna yet felt no fatigue. Meanwhile Satyaki, coming up,
pierced Karna with nine and ninety fierce arrows, and once more
with a hundred. Then all the foremost heroes among the Parthas
began to afflict Karna. Yudhamanyu and Shikhandi and the sons
of Draupadi and the Prabhadrakas, and Uttamauja and Yuyutsu
and the twins and Dhrishtadyumna, and the divisions of the Cedis
and the Karushas and the Matsyas and Kaikeyas, and the mighty
Chekitana, and king Yudhishthira of excellent vows, all these,
accompanied by cars and steeds and elephants, and foot-soldiers
of fierce prowess, encompassed Karna on all sides in that battle,
and showered upon him diverse kinds of weapons, addressing him
in harsh words and resolved to compass his destruction. Cutting
off that shower of weapons with his sharp shafts, Karna dispersed
his assailants by the power of his weapons like the wind breaking
down the trees that stand on its way. Filled with wrath, Karna was
seen to destroy car-warriors, and elephants with their riders, and
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horses with horse-men, and large bands of foot-soldiers.

Slaughtered by the energy of Karna’s weapons, almost the whole
of that force of the Pandavas, deprived of weapons, and with
limbs mangled and torn, retired from the field. Then Arjuna,
smiling the while, baffled with his own weapons the weapons of
Karna and covered the welkin, the Earth, and all the points of the
compass with dense shower of arrows. The shafts of Arjuna fell
like heavy clubs and spiked bludgeons. And some amongst them
fell like Sataghnis and some fell like fierce thunderbolts.
Slaughtered therewith, the Kaurava force consisting of infantry
and horse and cars and elephants, shutting its eyes, uttered loud
wails of woe and wandered senselessly. Many were the steeds and
men and elephants that perished on that occasion. Many, again,
struck with shafts and deeply afflicted fled away in fear.
“’Whilst thy warriors were thus engaged in battle from desire of

victory, the Sun approaching the Setting Mountain, entered it. In
consequence of the darkness, O king, but especially owing to the
dust, we could not notice anything favourable or unfavourable.
The mighty bowmen (amongst the Kauravas), fearing a night-
battle, O Bharata, then retired from the field, accompanied by all
their combatants. Upon the retirement of the Kauravas, O king, at
the close of the day, the Parthas, cheerful at having obtained the
victory, also retired to their own encampment, jeering at their
enemies by producing diverse kinds of sounds with their musical
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instruments, and applauding Acyuta and Arjuna. After those

heroes had thus withdrawn the army, all the troops and all the
kings uttered benediction upon the Pandavas. The withdrawal
having been made, those sinless men, the Pandavas, became very
glad, and proceeding to their tents rested there for the night. Then
rakshasas and pishacas, and carnivorous beasts, in large numbers
came to that awful field of battle resembling the sporting ground
of Rudra himself.’
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“Dhritarashtra said, ‘It seems that Arjuna slew all of you at his
will. Indeed, the Destroyer himself could not escape him in battle,
if Arjuna took up arms against Him. Single-handed, Partha
ravished Bhadra, and single-handed, he gratified Agni. Single-
handed, he subjugated the whole Earth, and made all the kings pay
tribute. Single-handed, with his celestial bow he slew the
Nivatakavachas. Single-handed, he contended in battle with
Mahadeva who stood before him in the guise of a hunter. Single-
handed, he protected the Bharatas, and single-handed, he gratified
Bhava. Single-handed, were vanquished by him all the kings of
the Earth endued with fierce prowess. The Kurus cannot be
blamed. On the other hand, they deserve praise (for having fought
with such a warrior). Tell me now what they did. Tell me also, O
Suta, what Duryodhana did after that.’
“Sanjaya said, ‘Struck and wounded and overthrown from their

vehicles and divested of armour and deprived of weapons and
their beasts slain, with plaintive voices and burning with grief and
vanquished by their foes, the vain Kauravas, entering their tents
once more took counsel of one another. They then looked like
snakes deprived of fangs and poison trod upon by others. Unto
them, Karna, sighing like an angry snake, squeezing his hands,
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and eyeing thy son, said, “Arjuna is always careful, firm,

possessed of skill, and endued with intelligence. Again, when the
time comes, Vasudeva awakes him (to what should be done).
Today, by that sudden shower of weapons we were deceived by
him. Tomorrow, however, O lord of Earth, I will frustrate all his
purposes.” Thus addressed by Karna, Duryodhana said, “So be it,”
and then granted permission to those foremost of kings to retire.
Bidden by the king, all those rulers proceeded to their respective
tents. Having passed the night happily, they cheerfully went out
for battle (the next day). They then beheld an invincible array
formed by king Yudhishthira the just, that foremost one of Kuru
race, with great care, and according to the sanction of Brihaspati
and Usanas. Then that slayer of foes, Duryodhana, called to mind
the heroic Karna, that counteractor of foes, that warrior with neck
like that of a bull, equal to Purandara himself in battle, the Maruts
in might, and Kartavirya in energy. Indeed, the heart of the king
turned towards Karna. And the hearts of all the troops also turned
to that hero, that Suta’s son, that mighty bowman, as one’s heart
turns to a friend in a situation of great danger.’
“Dhritarashtra said, ‘What did Duryodhana next do, O Suta, when

the hearts of all of you turned towards Vikarna’s son Karna? Did
my troops cast their eyes on Radha’s son like persons afflicted
with cold turning their gaze towards the Sun? Upon the
recommencement of the battle after the withdrawal of the troops,
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how, O Sanjaya, did Vikarna’s son Karna fight? How also did all
the Pandavas fight with the Suta’s son? The mighty-armed Karna
would, single-handed, slay the Parthas with the Srinjayas. The
might of Karna’s arms in battle equals that of Sakra or Vishnu.
His weapons are fierce, and the prowess also of that high-souled
one is fierce. Relying upon Karna, king Duryodhana had set his
heart on battle. Beholding Duryodhana deeply afflicted by the son
of Pandu, and seeing also the sons of Pandu displaying great
prowess, what did that mighty car-warrior, viz., Karna, do? Alas,
the foolish Duryodhana, relying on Karna, hopeth to vanquish the
Parthas with their sons and Keshava in battle! Alas, it is a matter
of great grief that Karna could not, with his strength, overcome
the sons of Pandu in fight! Without doubt, Destiny is supreme.
Alas, the terrible end of that gambling match hath now come!
Alas, these heartrending sorrows, due to Duryodhana’s acts, many
in number and like unto terrible darts, are now being borne by,
me, O Sanjaya! O sire, Subala’s son used to be then regarded as a
politic person. Karna also is always exceedingly attached to king
Duryodhana. Alas, when such is the case, O Sanjaya, why have I
then to hear of the frequent defeats and deaths of my sons? There
is no one that can resist the Pandavas in battle. They penetrate into
my army like a man into the midst of helpless women. Destiny,
indeed, is supreme.’
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“Sanjaya said, ‘O king, think now of all those wrongful acts of

thine like that match at dice and the others—acts that have passed
away from the subjects of thought with man. One should not,
however, reflect on bygone acts. One may be ruined by such
reflection. That result (which thou hadst expected) is now much
removed from the point of fruition, since, although possessed of
knowledge, thou didst not reflect on the propriety or impropriety
of thy acts then. Many a time wert thou, O king, counselled
against warring with the Pandavas. Thou didst not, however, O
monarch, accept those counsels, from folly. Diverse sinful acts of
a grave nature were perpetrated by thee against the sons of Pandu.
For those acts this awful slaughter of kings hath now come. All
that, however, is now past. Do not grieve, O bull of Bharata’s
race. O thou of unfading glory, listen now to the details of the
awful carnage that has occurred.
“’When the night dawned, Karna repaired to king Duryodhana.

Approaching the king, the mighty-armed hero said, “I shall, O
king, engage in battle today the illustrious son of Pandu. Either I
will slay that hero today, or he will slay me. In consequence of the
diverse things both myself and Partha had to do, O Bharata, an
encounter, O king, could not hitherto take place between myself
and Arjuna! Listen now, O monarch, to these words of mine,
spoken according to my wisdom. Without slaying Partha in battle
I will not come back, O Bharata. Since this army of ours hath been
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deprived of its foremost warriors, and since I will stand in battle,

Partha will advance against me, especially because I am destitute
of the dart Sakra gave me. Therefore, O ruler of men, listen now
to what is beneficial. The energy of my celestial weapons is equal
to the energy of Arjuna’s weapons. In counteracting the feats of
powerful foes, in lightness of hands, in range of the arrows shot,
in skill, and in hitting the mark, Savyasaci is never my equal. In
physical strength, in courage, in knowledge of (weapons), in
prowess, O Bharata, in aiming, Savyasaci is never my equal. My
bow, called Vijaya, is the foremost of all weapons (of its kind).
Desirous of doing what was agreeable (to Indra), it was made by
Vishakarman (the celestial artificer) for Indra. With that bow, O
king, Indra had vanquished the Daityas. At its twang the Daityas
beheld the ten points to be empty. That bow, respected by all,
Sakra gave to Bhrigu’s son (Rama). That celestial and foremost of
bows Bhrigu’s son gave to me. With that bow I will contend in
battle with the mighty-armed Arjuna, that foremost of victorious
warriors, like Indra fighting with the assembled Daityas. That
formidable bow, the gift of Rama, is superior to Gandiva. It was
with that bow that the Earth was subjugated thrice seven times (by
Bhrigu’s son). With that bow given to me by Rama I will contend
in battle with the son of Pandu. I will, O Duryodhana, gladden
thee today with thy friends, by slaying in battle that hero, viz.,
Arjuna, that foremost of conquerors. The whole Earth with her
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mountains and forest and islands, without a heroic warrior (to

oppose thy wish), will, O king, become thine today, over which
thyself with thy sons and grandsons will reign supreme. Today
there is nothing that is incapable of being achieved by me,
especially when the object is to do what is agreeable to thee, even
as success is incapable of being missed by an ascetic zealously
devoted to virtue and having his soul under control. Arjuna will
not be able to bear me in battle, even as a tree in contact with fire
is incapable of bearing that element. I must, however, declare in
what respect I am inferior to Arjuna. The string of his bow is
celestial, and the two large quivers of his are inexhaustible. His
driver is Govinda. I have none like him. His is that celestial and
foremost of bows, called Gandiva, which is irrefragible in battle. I
also have that excellent, celestial, and formidable bow called
Vijaya. In respect of our bows, therefore, O king, I am superior to
Arjuna. Listen now to those matters in which the heroic son of
Pandu is superior to me. The holder of the reins (of his steeds) is
he of Dasharha’s race who is adored by all the worlds. His
celestial car decked with gold, given unto him by Agni, is
impenetrable in every part, and his steeds also, O hero, are endued
with the speed of the mind. His celestial standard, bearing the
blazing Ape, is exceedingly wonderful. Again, Krishna, who is
Creator of the universe, protects that car. Though inferior to
Arjuna in respect of these things, I still desire to fight with him.
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This Shalya, however, the ornament of assemblies, is equal to

Saurin. If he becomes my driver, victory will certainly be thine.
Let Shalya, therefore, who is incapable of being resisted by foes
be the driver of my car. Let a large number of carts bear my long
shafts and those that are winged with vulturine feathers. Let a
number of foremost cars, O monarch, with excellent steeds yoked
unto them, always follow me, O bull of Bharata’s race. By these
arrangements I will, as regards the qualities mentioned, be
superior to Arjuna. Shalya is superior to Krishna, and I am
superior to Arjuna. As that slayer of foes, viz., he of Dasharha’s
race, is acquainted with horselore, even so is that mighty car-
warrior, viz., Shalya acquainted with horselore. There is none
equal to the chief of the Madras in might of arms. As there is none
equal to myself in weapons, so there is none equal to Shalya in
knowledge of steeds. So circumstanced, I will become superior to
Partha. Against my car, the very gods with Vasava at their head
will not dare advance. All these being attended to, when I take my
stand on my car, I will become superior to Arjuna in the attributes
of warrior and will then, O best of the Kurus, vanquish Phalguna.
I desire, O monarch, all this to be done by thee, O scorcher of
foes. Let these wishes of mine be accomplished. Let no time be
suffered to elapse. If all this be accomplished, the most effectual
aid will be rendered to me on every desirable point. Thou wilt
then see, O Bharata, what I will achieve in battle. I will by every
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means vanquish the sons of Pandu in battle when they will

approach me. The very gods and Asuras are not able to advance
against me in battle. What need be said then of the sons of Pandu
that are of human origin?’”
“Sanjaya continued, ‘Thus addressed by that ornament of battle,

viz., Karna, thy son, worshipping the son of Radha, answered him,
with a glad heart, saying, “Accomplish that, O Karna, which thou
thinkest. Equipped with goodly quivers and steeds, such cars shall
follow thee in battle. Let as many cars as thou wishest bear thy
long shafts and arrows equipped with vulturine feathers.
Ourselves, as also all the kings, O Karna will, follow thee in
battle.’”
“Sanjaya continued, ‘Having said these words, thy royal son,

endued with great prowess, approached the ruler of the Madras
and addressed him in the following words.’”
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“Sanjaya said, ‘Thy son then, O monarch, humbly approaching

that mighty car-warrior, viz., the ruler of the Madras, addressed
him, from affection, in these words, “O thou of true vows, O thou
of great good fortune, O enhancer of the sorrows of foes, O ruler
of the Madras, O hero in battle, O thou that inspirest hostile troops
with fear, thou hast heard, O foremost of speakers, how, for the
sake of Karna who spoke unto me, I myself am desirous of
soliciting thee among all these lions of kings. O thou of
incomparable prowess, O king of the Madras, for the destruction
of the foe, I solicit thee today, with humility and bow of the head.
Therefore, for the destruction of Partha and for my good, it
behoveth thee, O foremost of car-warriors, to accept, from love,
the office of charioteer. With thee for his driver, the son of Radha
will subjugate my foes. There is none else for holding the reins of
Karna’s steeds, except thee, O thou of great good fortune, thou
that art the equal of Vasudeva in battle. Protect Karna then by
every means like Brahma protecting Maheswara. Even as he of
Vrishni’s race protects by every means the son of Pandu in all
dangers, do thou, O chief of the Madras, protect the son of Radha
today. Bhishma, and Drona, and Kripa, and thyself and the valiant
ruler of the Bhojas, and Shakuni the son of Subala, and Drona’s
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son and myself, constituted the chief strength of our army. Even
thus, O lord of Earth, we had divided amongst ourselves the
hostile army into portion for the share of each. The share that had
been allotted to Bhishma is now no more as also that which had
been allotted to the high-souled Drona. Going even beyond their
allotted shares, those two slew my foes. Those two tigers among
men, however, were old, and both of them have been slain
deceitfully. Having achieved the most difficult feats, both of them,
O sinless one, have departed hence to heaven. Similarly, many
other tigers among men, of our army, slain by foes in battle, have
ascended to heaven, casting off their lives and having made great
exertions to the best of their powers. This my host, therefore, O
king, the greater portion of which has been slaughtered, has been
reduced to this state by the Parthas who were at first fewer than
us. What should be done for the present? Do that now, O lord of
Earth, by which the mighty and the high-souled sons of Kunti, of
prowess incapable of being baffled, may be prevented from
exterminating the remnant of my host. O lord, the Pandavas have
in battle slain the bravest warriors of this my force. The mighty-
armed Karna alone is devoted to our good, as also thyself, O tiger
among men, that art the foremost of car-warriors in the whole
world. O Shalya, Karna wishes to contend in battle today with
Arjuna. On him, O ruler of the Madras, my hopes of victory are
great. There is none else in the world (save thee) that can make so
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good a holder of the reins for Karna. As Krishna is the foremost of

all holders of reins for Partha in battle, even so, O king, be thou
the foremost of all holders of reins for Karna’s car. Accompanied
and protected, O sire, by him in battle, the feats that Partha
achieve are all before thee. Formerly, Arjuna had never slain his
foes in battle in such a way. Now however, his prowess has
become great, united as he is with Krishna. Day after day, O ruler
of the Madras, this vast Dhritarashtra force is seen to be routed by
Partha because he is united with Krishna. A portion remains of the
share allotted to Karna and thyself, O thou of great splendour.
Bear that share with Karna, and destroy it unitedly in battle. Even
as Surya, uniting with Aruna, destroys the darkness, do thou,
uniting with Karna, slay Partha in battle. Let the mighty car-
warriors (of the enemy), fly away, beholding in battle those two
warriors endued with the effulgence of the morning sun, viz.,
Karna and Shalya, resembling two Suns risen above the horizon.
Even as darkness is destroyed, O sire, at the sight of Surya and
Aruna, even so let the Kaunteyas (Pandavas) with the Pancalas
and the Srinjayas perish beholding thee and Karna. Karna is the
foremost of car-warriors, and thou art the foremost of drivers. In
the clash of battle, again there is none equal to thee. As he of
Vrishni’s race protects the son of Pandu under all circumstances,
even so let thyself protect Vikarna’s son Karna in battle. With
thee as his driver, Karna will become invincible, O king, in battle
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even with the gods having Sakra at their head! What then need be
said about the Pandavas? Do not doubt my words.’”
“Sanjaya continued, ‘Hearing these words of Duryodhana, Shalya,

became filled with rage. Contracting his brow into three lines, and
waving his arms repeatedly, and rolling his large eyes red in
wrath, that warrior of massive arms proud of his lineage and
wealth and knowledge and strength, said these words:
“’Shalya said “Thou insultest me, O son of Gandhari, or without

doubt suspectest me, since thou solicitest me, without hesitation,
saying, ‘Act thou as a driver.’ Regarding Karna to be superior to
ourselves, thou applaudest him thus. I, however, do not regard the
son of Radha as my equal in battle. Assign to me a much greater
share, O lord of Earth. Destroying that in battle, I will return to
the place I come from. Or, if thou wishest, I will, O delighter of
the Kurus, contend, single-handed, with the enemy. While
engaged in consuming the foe, behold thou my prowess today.
Brooding upon an insult, O thou of Kuru’s race, a person like
ourselves never engageth in my task. Do not have thy doubts
about me. Never shouldst thou humiliate me in battle. Behold
these two massive arms of mine, strong as the thunder. Behold
also my excellent bow, and these shafts that resemble snakes of
virulent poison. Behold my car, unto which are yoked excellent
steeds endued with the speed of the wind. Behold also, O son of
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Gandhari, my mace decked with gold and twined with hempen

chords. Filled with wrath, I can split the very Earth, scatter the
mountains, and dry up the oceans, with my own energy, O king.
Knowing me, O monarch, to be so capable, of afflicting the foe,
why dost thou appoint me to the office of driver in battle for such
a low-born person as Adhiratha’s son? It behoveth thee not, O
king of kings, to set me to such mean tasks! Being so superior, I
cannot make up my mind to obey the commands of a sinful
person. He that causeth a superior person arrived of his own will
and obedient from love, to yield to a sinful wight, certainly
incurreth the sin of confusing the superior with the inferior.
Brahman created the brahmanas from his mouth, and the
kshatriyas from his arms. He created the Vaishyas from his thighs
and the Shudras from his feet. In consequence of the intermixture
of those four orders, O Bharata, from those four have sprung
particular classes, viz., those born of men of superior classes
wedding women of classes inferior to themselves, and vice versa.
The kshatriyas have been described to be protectors (of the other
classes) acquirers of wealth and givers of the same. The
brahmanas have been established on the Earth for the sake of
favouring its people by assisting at sacrifices, by teaching and
acceptance of pure gifts. Agriculture and tending of cattle and gift
are the occupations of the Vaishyas according to the scriptures.
Shudras have been ordained to be the servants of the brahmanas,
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the kshatriyas, and the vaishyas. Similarly, the Sutas are the
servants of kshatriyas, and not latter the servants of the former.
Listen to these my words, O sinless one. As regards myself, I am
one whose coronal locks have undergone the sacred bath. I am
born in a race of royal sages. I am reckoned a great car-warrior. I
deserve the worship and the praises that bards and eulogists render
and sing. Being all this, O slayer of hostile troops, I cannot go to
the extent of acting as the driver of the Suta’s son in battle. I will
never fight, undergoing an act of humiliation. I ask thy
permission, O son of Gandhari, for returning home.”
“Sanjaya continued, ‘Having said these words that tiger among

men and ornament of assemblies, viz., Shalya, filled with rage
stood up quickly and endeavoured to get away from that
concourse of kings. Thy son, however, from affection and great
regard, held the king, and addressed him in these sweet and
conciliatory words, that were capable of accomplishing every
object, “Without doubt, O Shalya, it is even so as thou hast said.
But I have a certain purpose in view. Listen to it, O ruler of men,
Karna is not superior to thee, nor do I suspect thee, O king. The
royal chief of the Madras will never do that which is false. Those
foremost of men that were thy ancestors always told the truth. I
think it is for this that thou art called Artayani (the descendant of
those that had truth for their refuge). And since, O giver of
honours, thou art like a barbed arrow to thy foes, therefore art
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thou called by the name of Shalya on earth. O thou that makest

large present (to brahmanas) at sacrifices, do thou accomplish all
that which, O virtuous one, thou hadst previously said thou
wouldst accomplish. Neither the son of Radha nor myself am
superior to thee in valour that I would select thee as the driver of
those foremost of steeds (that are yoked unto Karna’s car). As,
however, O sire, Karna is superior to Dhananjaya in regard to
many qualities, even so doth the world regard thee to be superior
to Vasudeva. Karna is certainly superior to Partha in the matter of
weapons, O bull among men. Thou too art superior to Krishna in
knowledge of steeds and might. Without doubt O ruler of the
Madras, thy knowledge of horse is double that which the high-
souled Vasudeva hath.”
“’Shalya said, “Since, O son of Gandhari, thou describest me, O

thou of Kuru’s race, in the midst of all these troops, to be superior
to Devaki’s son, I am gratified with thee. I will become the driver
of Radha’s son of great fame while he will be engaged in battle
with the foremost one of Pandu’s sons, as thou solicitest me. Let
this, however, O hero, be my understanding with Vikartana’s son
that I will in his presence utter whatever speeches I desire.’”
“Sanjaya continued, ‘O king, thy son, with Karna then, O Bharata,

answered the prince of the Madras, O best of Bharata’s race,
saying, “So be it.”’”
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“’Duryodhana said, “Listen, once more, O ruler of the Madras, to

what I will say unto thee, about what happened, O lord, in the
battle between the gods and the Asuras in days of yore. The great
rishi Markandeya narrated it to my sire. I will now recite it
without leaving out anything, O best of royal sages. Listen to that
account confidingly and without mistrusting it at all. Between the
gods and the Asuras, each desirous of vanquishing the other, there
happened a great battle, O king, which had Taraka for its evil
(root). It hath been heard by us that the Daityas were defeated by
the gods. Upon the defeat of the Daityas, the three sons of Taraka,
named Tarakaksha, Kamalaksha and Vidyunmalin, O king,
practising the austerest penances, lived in the observance of high
vows. By those penances they emaciated their bodies, O scorcher
of foes. In consequence of their self-restraint, their penances,
their vows and contemplation, the boongiving Grandsire became
gratified with them and gave them boons. Unitedly they solicited
the Grandsire of all the worlds, O king, for the boon of immunity
from death at the hands of all Creatures of all times. The divine
Lord and Master of all the worlds said unto them, ‘There is
nothing like immunity from death at the hands of all creatures.
Therefore, ye Asuras, abstain from such a prayer. Solicit some
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other boon that may seem desirable to you.’ When all of them, O
king, having settled it amongst themselves after long and repeated
conferences, bowed to the great Master of all the worlds and said
these words, ‘O god, O Grandsire, give us this boon. Residing in
three cities, we will rove over this Earth, with thy grace ever
before us. After a 1,000 years then, we will come together, and
our three cities also, O sinless one, will become united into one.
That foremost one amongst the gods who will, with one shaft,
pierce those three cities united into one, will, O lord, be the cause
of our destruction.’ Saying unto them, ‘Let it be so,’ that god
ascended to heaven. Those Asuras then, filled with joy at having
obtained those boons and having settled it among themselves
about the construction of the three cities, selected for the purpose
the great Asura Maya, the celestial artificer, knowing no fatigue or
decay, and worshipped by all the daityas and danavas. Then
Maya, of great intelligence, by the aid of his own ascetic merit,
constructed three cities, one of which was of gold, another of
silver, and the third of black iron. The golden city was set in
heaven, the silver city in the welkin, and the iron city was set on
the Earth, all in such a way as to revolve in a circle, O lord of
Earth. Each of those cities measured a hundred yojanas in breadth
and a hundred in length. And they consisted of houses and
mansions and lofty walls and porches. And though teeming with
lordly palaces close to each other, yet the streets were wide and
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spacious. And they were adorned with diverse mansions and gate-
ways. Each of those cities, again, O monarch, had a separate king.
The beautiful city of gold belonged to the illustrious Tarakaksha:
the silver city to Kamalaksha, and the iron one to Vidyunmalin.
Those three Daitya kings, soon assailing the three worlds with
their energy, continued to dwell and reign, and began to say,
‘Who is he called the Creator?’ Unto those foremost of Danavas
having no heroes equal to them, came from every side millions
upon millions, of proud and flesh-eating Danavas who had before
been defeated by the celestials, and who now settled in the three
cities, desirous of great prosperity. Unto all of them thus united,
Maya became the supplier of every thing they wanted. Relying
upon him, all of them resided there, in perfect fearlessness.
Whoever amongst those residing in the triple city wished for any
object in his heart had his wish fulfilled by Maya aided by the
latter’s powers of illusion. Tarakaksha had a heroic and mighty
son named Hari. He underwent the austerest of penances, upon
which the Grandsire became gratified with him. When the god
was gratified, Hari solicited a boon of him, saying, ‘Let a lake
start into existence in our city, such that persons, slain by means
of weapons, may, when thrown into it, come out with life, and
with redoubled strength.’ Obtaining this boon, the heroic Hari, son
of Tarakaksha, created a lake, O lord, in his city, that was capable
of reviving the dead. In whatever form and whatever guise a
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Daitya might have been slain, if thrown into that lake, he was
restored to life, in the self-same form and guise. Obtaining alive
the slain among them, the Daityas began to afflict the three
worlds. Crowned with success by means of austere penances,
those enhancers of the fears of the gods sustained, O king, no
diminution in battle. Stupefied then by covetousness and folly,
and deprived of their senses, all of them began to shamelessly
exterminate the cities and towns established all over the universe.
Filled with pride at the boons they had received, and driving
before them, at all times and from all places, the gods with their
attendants, they roamed at will over celestial forests and other
realms dear to the denizens of heaven and the delightful and
sacred asylums of rishis. And the wicked Danavas ceased to show
any respect for anybody. While the worlds were thus afflicted,
Sakra, surrounded by the Maruts, battled against the three cities
by hurling his thunder upon them from every side. When,
however, Purandra failed to pierce those cities made impenetrable,
O king, by the Creator with his boons, the chief of celestials, filled
with fear, and leaving those cities, repaired with those very gods
to that chastiser of foes, viz., the Grandsire, for representing unto
him the oppressions committed by the Asuras. Representing
everything and bowing with their heads unto him, they asked the
divine Grandsire the means by which the triple city could be
destroyed. The illustrious Deity, hearing the words of Indra, told
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the gods, ‘He that is an offender against you offends against me

also. The Asuras are all of wicked souls and always hate the gods.
They that give pain to you always offend against me. I am
impartial to all creatures. There is no doubt in this. For all that,
however, they that are unrighteous should be slain. This is my
fixed vow. Those three forts are to be pierced with one shaft. By
no other means can their destruction be effected. None else, save
Sthanu, is competent to pierce them with one shaft. Ye Adityas,
select Sthanu, otherwise called Ishana and Jishnu, who is never
fatigued with work, as your warrior. It is he that will destroy those
asuras.’ Hearing these words of his, the gods with Sakra at their
head, making Brahman take their lead, sought the protection of
the Deity having the bull for his mark. Those righteous ones
accompanied by rishis devoted to the severest penances and
uttering the eternal words of the Vedas, sought Bhava with their
whole soul. And they praised, O king, in the high words of the
Vedas, that dispeller of fears in all situations of fear that Universal
Soul, that Supreme Soul, that One by whom All this is pervaded
with his Soul. Then the gods who, by special penances, had learnt
to still all the functions of his Soul and to withdraw Soul from
Matter,--they who had their soul always under control—beheld
him, called Ishana,--that lord of Uma, that mass of energy, that is,
who hath no equal in the universe, that source (of everything), that
sinless Self. Though that Deity is one they had imagined him to
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be of various forms. Beholding in that high-souled one those

diverse forms that each had individually conceived in own heart,
all of them became filled with wonder. Beholding that Unborn
one, that Lord of the universe, to be the embodiment of all
creatures, the gods and the regenerate Rishis, all touched the Earth
with their heads. Saluting them with the word ‘Welcome’ and
raising them from their bent attitudes, the illustrious Sankara
addressed them smilingly, saying, ‘Tell us the object of your
visit.’ Commanded by the Three-eyed god, their hearts became
easy. They then said these words unto him, ‘Our repeated
salutations to thee, O Lord. Salutations to thee that art the source
of all the gods, to thee that art armed with the bow, to thee that art
full of wrath. Salutations to thee that hadst destroyed the sacrifice
of that lord of creatures (viz., Daksha) to thee that art adored by
all the lords of creatures.
Salutations to thee that art always praised, to thee that deservest to

be praised, to thee that art Death’s self. Salutations to thee that art
red, to thee that art fierce, to thee that art blue-throated, to thee
that art armed with the trident, to thee that art incapable of being
baffled, to thee that hast eyes as beautiful as those of the gazelle,
to thee that fightest with the foremost of weapons, to thee that
deservest all praise, to thee that art pure, to thee that art
destruction’s self, to thee that art the destroyer; to thee that art
irresistible, to thee that art Brahman, to thee that leadest the life of
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a brahmacari; to thee that art Ishana; to thee that art

immeasurable, to thee that art the great controller, to thee that art
robed in tatters; to thee that art ever engaged in penances, to thee
that art tawny, to thee that art observant of vows, to thee that art
robed in animal skins; to thee that art the sire of Kumara, to thee
that art three-eyed, to thee that art armed with the foremost of
weapons, to thee that destroyest the afflictions of all that seek thy
shelter, to thee that destroyest all haters of brahmanas, to thee that
art the lord of all trees, the lord of all men, the lord of all kine, and
ever the lord of sacrifices.
Salutations to thee that art always at the head of troops, to thee

that art three-eyed, to thee that art endued with fierce energy. We
devote ourselves to thee in thought, word and deed. Be gracious
unto us.’ Gratified with these adorations, the holy one, saluting
them with the word ‘Welcome’ said unto them, ‘Let your fears be
dispelled. Say, what we are to do for you?’”’”
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“’Duryodhana said, “After the fears of those throngs of the pitris,

the gods, and the Rishis had thus been dispelled by that high-
souled Deity, Brahman then offered his adorations, unto Sankara,
and said these words for the benefit of the universe, ‘Through thy
favour, O Lord of all, the Lordship of all creatures is mine.
Occupying that rank, I have given a great boon to the Danavas. It
behoveth none else, save thee, O Lord of the Past and the Future,
to destroy those wicked wights that show no regard for any one.
Thou O god, art the only person competent to slay the foes of
these denizens of heaven that have sought thy protection and that
solicit thee. O lord of all the gods, show favour to these. Slay the
Danavas, O wielder of the trident. O giver of honours, let the
universe, through thy grace, obtain happiness. O Lord of all the
worlds, thou art the one whose shelter should be sought. We all
seek thy shelter.’
“’”Sthanu said, ‘All your foes should be slain. But, I shall not
however, slay them single-handed. The enemies of the gods are
possessed of might. Therefore, all of you, united together,
consume those enemies of yours in battle, with half my might.
Union is great strength.’
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“’”The gods said, ‘Theirs (Danavas’) is twice the energy and

might of ourselves, we think, for we have already seen their
energy and might.’
“’”The holy one said, ‘Those sinful wights that have offended
against ye should be slain. With half of my energy and might, slay
all those enemies of yours.’
“’”The gods said, ‘We will not be able, O Maheswara, to bear half
of thy energy. With, on the other hand, half of our united might,
do thou slay those foes.’
“’”The holy one said, ‘If, indeed, ye have not the ability to bear
half of my might, then, endued with half of your united energy, I
will slay them.’
“’Duryodhana continued, “The celestials then, addressing the god

of gods, said ‘So be it’ O best of kings. Taking half of their
energies from all of them, he became superior in might. Indeed, in
might that god became superior to all in the universe. From that
time Sankara came to be called Mahadeva. And Mahadeva then
said, ‘Armed with bow and shaft, I will, from my car, slay in
battle those foes of yours, ye denizens of heaven. Therefore, ye
gods, see now to my car and bow and shaft so that I may, this very
day, throw the Asuras down on the Earth.’
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“’”The gods said, ‘Gathering all forms that may be found in the
three worlds and taking portions of each, we will each, O Lord of
the gods, construct a car of great energy for thee. It will be a large
car, the handiwork of Viswakarman, designed with intelligence.’
Saying this, those tigers among the gods began the construction of
that car. And they made Vishnu and Soma and Hutasana the arrow
for Sankara’s use. Agni became the staff, and Soma became the
head, and Vishnu the point, O king, of that foremost of arrows.
The goddess Earth, with her large cities and towns, her mountains
and forests and islands, that home of diverse creatures, was made
the car. The Mandara mountain was made its axle; and the great
river Ganga was made its Jangha; and the points of the compass,
cardinal and subsidiary became the ornaments of the car. The
constellations became its shaft; the Krita age became its yoke; and
that best of Snakes, viz., Vasuki, became the Kuvara of that car.
Himavat and Vindhya mountains became its Apaskara and
Adhishthana; and the Udaya and the Asta mountains were made
the wheels of that car by those foremost ones among the gods.
They made the excellent Ocean, that abode of the Danavas its
other axle. The seven Rishis became the protectors of the wheels
of that car. Ganga and Sarasvati and Sindhu and the Sky became
its Dhura; all the other rivers and all the waters became the chords
for binding the several limbs of that car. Day and Night and the
other divisions of time such as Kalas and Kasthas, and the
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Seasons became its Amukarsha. The blazing planets and the stars
became its wooden fence; Religion, Profit, and Pleasure, united
together, became its Trivenu. The herbs and the creepers, decked
with flowers and fruits, became its bells. Making the Sun and the
Moon equal, these were made the (other two) wheels of that
foremost of cars. Day and Night were made its auspicious wings
on the right and left. The ten foremost of snakes having
Dhritarashtra for their first, all exceedingly strong, formed the
(other) shaft of that car. The Sky was made its (other) yoke, and
the clouds called Samvartaka and Valahaka were the leathern
strings of the yoke. The two Twilights and Dhritri and Medha and
Sthiti and Sannati, and the firmament bespangled with planets and
stars, were made the skins for covering that car. Those Regents of
the world, viz., the Lords of the gods, of the waters, of the dead,
and of treasures, were made the steeds of that car. Kalaprishtha,
and Nahusha, and Karkotaka, and Dhananjaya and the other
snakes became the chords for binding the manes of the steeds. The
cardinal and the subsidiary directions became the reins of the
steeds of that car. The Vedic sound Vashat became the goad, and
Gayatri became the string attached to that goad. The four
auspicious days were made the traces of the steeds, and the pitris
presiding over them were made the hooks and pins. Action and
truth and ascetic penances and profit were made the chords of that
car. The Mind became the ground upon which that car stood, and
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Speech the tracks upon which it was to proceed. Beautiful banners

of various hues waved in the air. With lightning and Indra’s bow
attached to it, that blazing car gave fierce light. That space of time
which, on a former occasion, had, in the Sacrifice of the high-
souled Ishana, been fixed as a Year, became the bow, and the
goddess Savitri became the loud-sounding bow-string. A celestial
coat of mail was made, decked with costly gems, and
impenetrable and effulgent, sprung from the wheel of Time. That
golden mountain, viz., the beautiful Meru, became the flagstaff,
and the clouds decked with flashes of lightning became its
banners. Thus equipped, that car shone brilliantly like a blazing
fire in the midst of the priests officiating at a sacrifice. Beholding
that car properly equipped, the gods became filled with wonder.
Seeing the energies of the entire universe united together in one
place, O sire, the gods wondered, and at last represented unto that
illustrious Deity that the car was ready. After, O monarch, that
best of cars had thus been constructed by the gods, O tiger among
men, for grinding their foes, Sankara placed upon it his own
celestial weapons. Making the sky its flagstaff, he placed upon it
his bovine bull. The Brahmana’s rod, the rod of Death, Rudra’s
rod, and Fever became the protectors of the sides of that car and
stood with faces turned towards all sides. Atharvan and Angirasa
became the protectors of the car-wheels of that illustrious warrior.
The Rigveda, the Samaveda, and the Puranas stood in advance of
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that car. The histories and the Yajurveda became the protectors of
the rear. All sacred Speeches and all the Sciences stood around it,
and all hymns, O monarch, and the Vedic sound of Vashat also.
And the syllable Om, O king, standing in the van of that car, made
it exceedingly beautiful. Having made the Year adorned with the
six seasons his bow, he made his own shadow the irrefragable
string of that bow in that battle. The illustrious Rudra is Death’s
self. The Year became his bow; Kala Ratri the Death-night
therefore, which is Rudra’s shadow, became the indestructible
string of that bow. Vishnu and Agni and Soma became (as already
said) the arrow. The universe is said to consist of Agni and Soma.
The universe is similarly said to consist of Vishnu. Vishnu is,
again, the Soul of the holy Bhava of immeasurable energy. For
this the touch of that bow-string became unbearable to the Asuras.
And the lord Sankara cast on that arrow his own irresistible and
fierce wrath, the unbearable fire of anger, viz., that which was
born of wrath of Bhrigu and Angirasa. Then He called Nila Rohita
(Blue and Red or smoke)--that terrible deity robed in skins,--
looking like 10,000 Suns, and shrouded by the fire of
superabundant Energy, blazed up with splendour. That discomfiter
of even him that is difficult of being discomfited, that victor, that
slayer of all haters of Brahma, called also Hara, that rescuer of the
righteous and destroyer of the unrighteous, viz., the illustrious
Sthanu, accompanied by many beings of terrible might and
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terrible forms that were endued with the speed of the mind and
capable of agitating and crushing all foes, as if with all the
fourteen faculties of the soul awake about him, looked
exceedingly resplendent. Having his limbs for their refuge, this
entire universe of mobile and immobile creatures that were
present there, O king, looked beautiful, presenting a highly
wonderful appearance. Beholding that car, duly equipped, he
cased himself in mail and armed himself with the bow, and took
up that celestial shaft born of Soma and Vishnu and Agni. The
gods, O king, then commanded that foremost of celestials, viz.,
Wind, to breathe after that puissant Deity all the fragrance that he
carries. Then Mahadeva, terrifying the very gods, and making the
very Earth tremble, ascended that car resolutely. Then the great
Rishis, the Gandharvas, those throngs of gods and those diverse
tribes of Apsaras began to praise that Lord of the gods while he
was about to ascend that car. Adored by the regenerate Rishis, and
praised by the eulogists and diverse tribes of dancing Apsaras
well-versed in the art of dancing, that boon-giving lord, armed
with scimitar and arrow and bow, looked very beautiful. Smiling,
he then asked the gods, ‘Who will become my driver?’ The gods
answered him, saying, ‘He whom thou wilt appoint, will, O Lord
of the gods, without doubt, become thy driver!’ Unto them the god
replied, ‘Reflecting yourselves, without delay make him my driver
who is superior to me!’ Hearing these words uttered by that high-
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souled Deity, the gods repaired unto the Grandsire and inclining
him to grace, said these words, ‘We have accomplished
everything, O holy one, that thou hadst ordered us to do in the
matter of afflicting the foes of celestials. The Deity having the
bull for his mark has been gratified with us. A car hath been
constructed by us, equipped with many wonderful weapons. We
do not, however, know who is to become the driver of that
foremost of cars. Therefore, let some foremost one among the
gods be appointed as the driver. O holy one, it behoveth thee to
make true those words that thou, O lord, hadst then said to us.
Before this, O god, thou hadst even said to us that thou wouldst do
us good. It behoveth thee to accomplish that promise. That
irresistible and best of cars, that router of our foes, hath been
constructed out of the component parts of the celestials. The Deity
armed with Pinaka hath been made the warrior who is to stand on
it. Striking the Danavas with fear, he is prepared for battle. The
four Vedas have become the four foremost of steeds. With her
mountains, the Earth has become the car of that high-souled one.
The stars have become the adornments of that vehicle. (As already
said) Hara is the warrior. We do not, however, see who is to
become the driver. A driver should be sought for that car who is
superior to all these. Equal to thee in importance is that car, O
god, and Hara is the warrior. Armour, and weapons, and bow,
these we have got already, O Grandsire. Except thee, we do not
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behold any person that can make its driver. Thou art endued with
every accomplishment. Thou, O lord, art superior to all the gods.
Mounting upon that car with speed, hold the reins of those
foremost of steeds, for the victory of the celestials and the
destruction of their foes.’ It has been heard by us that bowing with
their heads unto the Grandsire that Lord of the three worlds, the
gods sought to gratify him for inducing him to accept the
drivership.
“’”The Grandsire said, ‘There is nothing of untruth in all this that

ye have said, ye denizens of heaven. I will hold the reins of the
steeds for Kapaddin while he will be engaged in fight.’ Then that
illustrious god, that Creator of the worlds, the Grandsire, was
appointed by the gods as the driver of the high-souled Ishana. And
when he was about to ascend quickly upon that car worshipped by
all, those steeds, endued with the speed of the wind, bowed
themselves with their heads to the Earth. Having ascended the car
the illustrious Deity, viz., the Grandsire resplendent with his own
energy, took the reins and the goad. Then the illustrious god,
raising those steeds addressed that foremost one among the gods,
viz., Sthanu, saying, ‘Ascend.’ Then, taking that arrow composed
of Vishnu and Soma and Agni, Sthanu ascended the car, causing
the foe to tremble by means of his bow. The great Rishis, the
Gandharvas, the throngs of gods, and the diverse tribes of
Apsaras, then praised that Lord of the gods after he had ascended
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the car. Resplendent with beauty, the boon-giving Lord, armed

with scimitar, shaft, and bow, stayed on the car causing the three
worlds to blaze forth with his own energy. The great Deity once
more said unto the gods headed by Indra, ‘Ye should never grieve,
doubting my ability to destroy the Asura. Know that the Asuras
have already been slain by means of this arrow’. The gods then
answered, saying, ‘It is true! The Asuras have already been slain.’
Indeed, the gods thinking that the words which the divine Lord
had said could not be untrue, became exceedingly gratified. Then
that Lord of the gods proceeded surrounded by all the gods, upon
that large car, O king, which had nothing to compare with it. And
the illustrious Deity was adored, all the while by the attendants
that always wait upon him, and by others that subsisted on meat,
that were invincible in battle, and that danced in joy on the present
occasion, running wildly on all sides and shouting at one another,
Rishis also, of great good fortune, possessed of ascetic merit and
endued with high qualities, as also the gods, wished for
Mahadeva’s success. When that boon-giving Lord, that dispeller
of the fears of the three worlds, thus proceeded, the entire
universe, all the gods, O best of men, became exceedingly
gratified. And the Rishis there adored the Lord of the gods with
diverse hymns, and enhancing his energy, O king, took up their
station there. And millions upon millions of Gandharvas played
upon diverse kinds of musical instruments at the hour of his
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setting out. When the boon-giving Brahman, having ascended the

car, set out for the Asuras, the Lord of the Universe, smiling the
while, said, ‘Excellent, Excellent! Proceed, O god, to the spot
where the Daityas are. Urge the steeds wakefully. Behold today
the might of arms while I slay the foe in battle.’ Thus addressed,
Brahman urged those steeds endued with the fleetness of the wind
or thought towards that spot where the triple city, O king, stood,
protected by the Daityas and the Danavas. With those steeds
worshipped by all the worlds, and which coursed with such speed
that they seemed to devour the skies, the illustrious god quickly
proceeded for the victory of the denizens of heaven. Indeed, when
Bhava, riding on the car, set out towards the triple city, his bull
uttered tremendous roars, filling all the points of the compass.
Hearing that loud and terrible roar of the bull, many of the
descendants and followers of Taraka, those enemies of the gods,
breathed their last. Others amongst them stood facing the foe for
battle. Then Sthanu, O king, armed with trident became deprived
of his senses in wrath. All creatures became frightened, and the
three worlds began to tremble. Frightful portents appeared when
he was on the point of aiming that shaft. In consequence,
however, of the pressure caused by the weight of Soma, Agni, and
Vishnu that were in that shaft, as also of the pressure caused by
the weight of Brahman and Rudra and the latter’s bow, that car
seemed to sink. Then Narayana, issuing out of the point of that
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shaft, assumed the form of a bull and raised that large car. During
the time the car had sunk and the foe had began to roar, the
illustrious Deity, endued with great might began, from rage, to
utter loud shouts, standing, O giver of honours, on the head of his
bull and the back of his steeds. At that time the illustrious Rudra
was employed in eyeing the Danava city. While in that posture, O
best of men, Rudra cut off the teats of the horses and clove the
hoofs of the bull. Blessed be thou, from the date the hoofs of all
animals of the bovine species came to be cloven. And from that
time, O king, horses, afflicted by the mighty Rudra of wonderful
deeds, came to be without teats. Then Sarva, having stringed his
bow and aimed that shaft with which he had united the Pasupata
weapon, waited thinking of the triple city. And O king, as Rudra
thus stood, holding his bow, the three cities during that time
became united. When the three cities, losing their separate
characters became united, tumultuous became the joy of the high-
souled gods. Then all the gods, the Siddhas, and the great Rishis,
uttered the word Jaya, adoring Maheshwara. The triple city then
appeared immediately before that god of unbearable energy, that
Deity of fierce and indescribable form, that warrior who was
desirous of slaying the Asuras. The illustrious deity, that Lord of
the universe, then drawing that celestial bow, sped that shaft
which represented the might of the whole universe, at the triple
city. Upon that foremost of shafts, O thou of great good fortune,
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being shot, loud wails of woe were heard from those cities as they
began to fall down towards the Earth. Burning those Asuras, he
threw them down into the Western ocean. Thus was the triple city
burnt and thus were the Danavas exterminated by Maheswara in
wrath, from desire of doing good to the three worlds. The fire
born of his own wrath, the three-eyed god quenched, saying, ‘Do
not reduce the three worlds to ashes.’ After this, the gods, the
Rishis, and the three worlds became all restored to their natural
dispositions, and gratified Sthanu of unrivalled energy with words
of high import. Receiving then the permission of the great god, the
gods with the Creator at their head went away to the places they
came from, their object being accomplished after such effort. Thus
that illustrious Deity, that Creator of the worlds, that Lord of both
the Gods and the Asuras, viz., Maheswara, did that which was for
the good of all the worlds. As the illustrious Brahman, the Creator
of the worlds, the Grandsire, the Supreme Deity of unfading glory,
acted as the driver of Rudra, so do thou restrain the steeds of the
high-souled son of Radha like Grandsire restraining those of
Rudra. There is not the slightest doubt, O tiger among kings, that
thou art superior to Krishna, to Karna, and to Phalguna. In battle,
Karna is like Rudra, and thou art like Brahman in policy. United,
ye two, therefore, are competent to vanquish my foes that are even
like the Asuras. Let, O Shalya, that be done speedily today by
which this Karna, grinding the Pandava troops, may be able to
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slay Kunti’s son owning white steeds and having Krishna for the
driver of his car. Upon thee depend Karna, ourselves, our
kingdom, and (our) victory in battle. Hold the reins, therefore, of
the excellent steeds (of Karna). There is another story which I will
narrate. Listen once more to it. A virtuous brahmana had recited it
in the presence of my father. Hearing these delightful words
fraught with the reasons and purposes of acts, do, O Shalya, what
thou mayst settle, without entertaining any scruples. In the race of
the Bhrigus was Jamadagni of severe ascetic penances. He had a
son endued with energy and every virtue, who became celebrated
by the name of Rama. Practising the austerest penances, of
cheerful soul, bound to observances and vows, and keeping his
senses under control, he gratified the god Bhava for obtaining
weapons. In consequence of his devotion and tranquillity of heart.
Mahadeva became gratified with him. Sankara, understanding the
desire cherished in his heart, showed himself unto Rama. And
Mahadeva said, ‘O Rama, I am gratified with thee. Blessed be
thou, thy desire is known to me. Make thy soul pure. Thou wilt
then have all that thou desirest. I will give thee all weapons when
thou wilt become pure. Those weapons, O son, of Bhrigu, burn a
person that is incompetent and that is not deserving of them.’
Thus addressed by that god of gods, that deity bearing the trident,
the son of Jamadagni, bending his head unto that puissant high-
souled one, said, ‘O god of gods, it behoveth thee to give those
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weapons unto me that am always devoted to thy service, when,

indeed thou wilt regard me fit for holding them.’”
“’Duryodhana continued. “With penances then, and restraining his

senses, and observances of vows, and worship and offerings and
with sacrifices and Homa performed with mantras, Rama adored
Sarva for many long years. At last Mahadeva, pleased with the
high-souled son of Bhrigu’s race, described him, in the presence
of his divine spouse, as possessed of many virtues: ‘This Rama, of
firm vows is ever devoted to me.’ Gratified with him, the Lord
Sankara thus repeatedly proclaimed his virtues in the presence of
gods and the Rishis, O slayer of foes. Meanwhile, the Daityas
became very mighty. Blinded by pride and folly, they afflicted the
denizens of heaven. The gods then, uniting together, and firmly
resolved to slay them, strove earnestly for the destruction of those
foes. They, however, failed to vanquish them. The gods then,
repairing to Maheswara, the Lord of Uma, began to gratify him
with devotion, saying, ‘Slay our foes.’ That god, having promised
the destruction of their foes unto the celestials, summoned Rama
the descendant of Bhrigu. And Sankara addressed Rama, saying,
‘O descendant of Bhrigu, slay all the assembled foes of the gods,
from desire of doing good unto all the worlds as also for my
satisfaction.’ Thus addressed, Rama replied unto that boon-giving
Lord of Three-eyes, saying, ‘What strength have I, O chief of the
gods destitute as I am of weapons, to slay in battle the assembled
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Danavas that are accomplished in weapons and invincible in

fight? Maheswara said, ‘Go thou at my command. Thou shalt slay
those foes. Having vanquished all those enemies, thou shalt
acquire numerous merits.’ Hearing these words and accepting
them all, Rama, causing propitiatory rites to be performed for his
success, proceeded against the Danavas. Addressing those
enemies of the gods that were endued with might and possessed
with folly and pride, he said, ‘Ye Daityas that are fierce in battle,
give me battle. I have been sent by the God of gods to vanquish
you.’ Thus addressed by the descendant of Bhrigu, the Daityas
began to fight. The delighter of the Bhargavas, however, slaying
the Daityas in battle, with strokes whose touch resembled that of
Indra’s thunder, came back to Mahadeva. Jamadagni’s son, that
foremost of brahmanas returned with many wounds on his person
inflicted by the Danavas. Touched, however by Sthanu, his
wounds were immediately healed. Gratified also with that feat of
his, the illustrious god gave diverse kinds of boons unto the high-
souled son of Bhrigu. With satisfaction in his heart, the trident-
wielding God of gods said, ‘The pain thou hast suffered in
consequence of the fall of weapons upon thy body evidences the
super-human feat that thou hast achieved, O delighter of the
Bhrigus. As desired by thee, accept from me these celestial
weapons.’”
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“’Duryodhana continued, “Having obtained all the celestial

weapons and the boons that had been desired by him, Rama
bowed unto Siva with his head. Obtaining the leave also of the
gods that great ascetic went away. This is the old story that the
rishi had recited. The descendant of Bhrigu gave the whole
science of weapons unto the high-souled Karna, O tiger among
kings with delighted heart. If Karna had any fault, O lord of Earth,
the delighter of Bhrigu’s race would never have given him his
celestial weapons. I do not think that Karna could have been born
in the Suta order. I think him to be the son of a god, born in the
kshatriya order. I think that he was abandoned (in infancy) in
order that the race in which he was born might be ascertained (by
his features and feats). By no means, O Shalya, could this Karna
have been born in the Suta order. With his (natural) earring and
(natural) coat of mail, this mighty car-warrior of long arms,
resembling Surya himself, could not be borne by a common
woman even as a she-deer can never bear a tiger. His arms are
massive, each resembling the trunk of a prince of elephants.
Behold his chest that is so broad and capable of resisting every
foe. Karna otherwise called Vaikartana, O king, cannot be an
ordinary person. Endued with great valour, this disciple of Rama,
O king of kings, is a high-souled personage.’”
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35
“’Duryodhana said, “Even thus did that illustrious Deity, that

Grandsire of all the worlds, viz., Brahman, act as driver on that
occasion and even thus did Rudra become the warrior. The driver
of the car, O hero, should be superior to the warrior on it.
Therefore, O tiger among men, do thou hold the reins of the steeds
in this battle. As on that occasion the Grandsire had been selected
with care by all the celestials, indeed, O great king, as one greater
than Sankara, so thou that art superior to Karna art now selected
by us with care. Like the Grandsire holding the reins of Rudra’s
steeds, do thou hold, without delay, the reins of Karna’s steeds in
battle, O thou of great splendour.”
“’Shalya said, “O foremost of men, many a time have I heard this

excellent and celestial history, recited to me, of those two lions
among gods. Indeed, I have heard how the Grandsire acted as the
driver of Bhava and how the Asuras also, O Bharata, were all
destroyed with one shaft. Krishna also had knowledge of all this
before, the knowledge, viz., of how the illustrious Grandsire had
become the driver on that occasion of yore. Indeed, Krishna
knoweth the past and the future with all their details. Knowing
this fact, he became the driver, O Bharata, of Partha like the Self-
create becoming the driver of Rudra. If the Suta’s son, by some
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means, succeeds in slaying the son of Kunti, Keshava, beholding

Partha slain, will fight himself. That bearer of the conch, the
discus, and the mace, will then consume thy army. There is no
king here that will stay in the ranks in front of that illustrious one
of Vrishni’s race when he will be excited with wrath.’”
“Sanjaya said, ‘Unto the ruler of the Madras who was speaking in
that strain, that chastiser of foes, viz., thy mighty-armed son of
cheerful soul replied, saying, “Do not, O mighty-armed one, think
disparagingly of Karna, otherwise called Vaikartana, in battle,--
that warrior who is the foremost of all wielders of arms and who is
acquainted with the meaning of the whole body of our scriptures.
Hearing the terrible and loud twang of his bow and the sound of
his palms, the Pandava troops fly away on all sides. Thou hast
witnessed it with thy own eyes, O mighty-armed one, how
Ghatotkaca, screened by his illusions and displaying hundreds of
still slain that night (by Karna). Feeling a great fear all these days
Vibhatsu could never stand, fronting Karna. The mighty
Bhimasena also, moved hither and thither by the horn of Karna’s
bow, was, O king, addressed in very harsh words such as ‘Fool’
and ‘Glutton.’ The two brave sons of Madri also were defeated by
Karna in great battle, though, from some object he had in view, he
did not, O sire, slay them then. That foremost one of Vrishni’s
race, viz., the heroic Satyaki, the chief of the Satwata clan, was
vanquished by Karna and made carless. Others, such as all the
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Srinjayas headed by Dhrishtadyumna, have been repeatedly

defeated in battle by Karna the great car-warrior who has achieved
all these feats and who excited with wrath, is competent to slay
Purandara himself armed with the thunderbolt in fight. Thyself
also, O hero, art acquainted with every weapon. Thou art, again,
the master of all branches of learning. There is none on Earth
who is thy equal in might of arms. Irresistible in prowess, thou art
like a dart (Shalya) unto thy enemies. It is for this, O king, that
thou O slayer of foes, art called ‘Shalya.’ Encountering the might
of thy arms, all the Satwatas were unable to get the better of it. Is
Krishna superior to thee in might of arms, O king? Indeed, as
Krishna is to bear the burthen of the Pandava troops upon the
slaughter of Partha, even so art thou to bear the burthen of this
vast (Kaurava) force if Karna lays down his life. Why should he
be able to resist my troops and why shouldst not thou be able to
slay the hostile troops, O sire? For thy sake, O sire, I would
willingly follow the footsteps of my (slain) brothers and the other
heroic kings of the Earth.”
“’Shalya said, “O son of Gandhari, when thou, O giver of

honours, describest me before thy troops to be superior to the son
of Devaki, I am exceedingly gratified with thee. I accept the
drivership of the celebrated son of Radha when he will fight with
that foremost of the sons of Pandu, as thou desirest. I have,
however, O hero, a compact to make with Vaikartana, and that is
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this: I will utter whatever words I may wish, in this one’s

presence.’”
“Sanjaya continued, ‘Thy son then, O king, with Karna, O sire,

answered the ruler of the Madras, saying, “Let it be so” in the
presence of all the kshatriyas. Assured by Shalya’s acceptance of
the drivership, Duryodhana, filled with joy, embraced Karna.
Eulogised (by bards and panegyrists around), thy son then once
more addressed Karna, saying, “Slay all the Parthas in battle, like
the great Indra slaying the Danavas.” Shalya having accepted the
office of holding the reins of his steeds, Karna, with a cheerful
heart, once more addressed Duryodhana, saying, “The ruler of the
Madras does not say very cheerfully what he says. O king, solicit
him once more in sweet words.” Thus addressed, the mighty king
Duryodhana, possessed of great wisdom and accomplished in
everything, once more spoke unto that lord of Earth, viz., Shalya,
the ruler of Madras, in a voice deep as that of the clouds and
filling the whole region there with the sound of that voice: “O
Shalya, Karna thinks that he should fight with Arjuna today. O
tiger among men hold the reins of Karna’s steeds in battle. Having
slain all the other warriors Karna desires to slay Phalguna. I solicit
thee, O king, repeatedly, in the matter of holding the reins of his
steeds. As Krishna, that foremost of all drivers, is the counsellor
of Partha, even so do thou protect the son of Radha today from
every danger.’”
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“Sanjaya continued, ‘Embracing thy son then, Shalya the ruler of

the Madras, joyfully answered that slayer of foes, viz.,
Duryodhana, saying, “If this is what is thou thinkest, O royal son
of Gandhari, O thou of handsome features, I shall, for that,
accomplish everything that may be agreeable to thee. O chief of
the Bharatas, for whatever acts I may be fit, employing myself
therein with my whole heart, I will bear the burthen of those acts
of thine. Let Karna, however, and thyself pardon me all those
words, agreeable or disagreeable, that I may speak unto Karna
from desire of his good.’”
“’Karna said, “O ruler of the Madras, be thou ever engaged in our

good as Brahman in that of Ishana, as Keshava in that of Partha.”
“’Shalya said, “These four kinds of conduct—self-rebuke and

self-praise,
speaking ill of others, and adulation of others, are never practised
by
those that are respectable. That, however, O learned one, which I
shall
say, for inspiring thy confidence is fraught with self-adulation. For
all
that, listen to it duly. O puissant one, like Matali himself, I am fit
to
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act as the driver of even Indra in watchfulness, in managing the

steeds,
in knowledge of coming danger and of the means of avoiding it,
and in
competence to avoid it in practice. When thou wilt be engaged in
battle
with Partha, I will hold the reins of thy steeds. Let thy anxiety be
dispelled, O Suta’s son.”’”
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36
“’Duryodhana said, “This one, O Karna, will act as thy driver, this
ruler of the Madras, who is superior to Krishna, like Matali the
driver of the chief of the celestials. Indeed, as Matali taketh the
management of the car unto which the steeds of Indra are
attached, even so will Shalya be the driver of the steeds of thy car
today. With thyself as warrior on that vehicle and the ruler of the
Madras as its driver, that foremost of car will certainly vanquish
the Parthas in battle.’”
“Sanjaya continued, ‘When the morning came, O monarch,

Duryodhana once more addressed the ruler of the Madras endued
with great activity, saying, “O ruler of the Madras, hold the reins
in battle of Karna’s foremost of steeds. Protected by thee, the son
of Radha will vanquish Dhananjaya.” Thus addressed, Shalya,
answering, “So be it” ascended the car, O Bharata. When Shalya
approached that car, Karna with a cheerful heart addressed his
driver, saying, “O charioteer, quickly equip the car for me.”
Having duly equipped that triumphal car, the foremost of its kind,
which resembled the vapoury mansions in the sky, Shalya
presented it to Karna, saying, “Blessed be thou, victory to thee.”
Then Karna, that foremost of car-warriors, duly worshipping that
car which had in days of old been sanctified by a priest conversant
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with Brahma, and circumambulating it and carefully adoring the

god Surya addressed the ruler of the Madras standing near, saying,
“Ascend the vehicle.” Thereupon Shalya of mighty energy
ascended that large, invincible, and foremost of cars, belonging to
Karna like a lion ascending a mountain summit. Beholding Shalya
stationed, Karna ascended his excellent car like the Sun riding on
a mass of clouds charged with lightning. Mounted on the same
car, those two heroes endued with the splendour or the Sun of fire
looked resplendent like Surya and Agni sitting together on a cloud
in the firmament. Eulogised then (by bards and panegyrists), those
two heroes of great effulgence looked like Indra and Agni adored
with hymns in a sacrifice by Ritwiks and Sadasyas. Karna stood
on that car, the reins of whose steeds were held by Shalya,
stretching his formidable bow, like the Sun himself within a halo
of circular light. Stationed on that foremost of cars, that tiger
among men, Karna, with his shafts constituting his rays, looked
beautiful like the Sun on the Mandara mountains. Unto the
mighty-armed son of Radha that warrior of immeasurable energy,
stationed on his car for battle. Duryodhana said these words, “O
son of Adhiratha, O hero, do thou achieve that feat difficult of
accomplishment which Drona and Bhishma have not achieved in
the very sight of all the bowmen. I had always believed that those
two mighty car-warriors, viz., Bhishma and Drona, would without
doubt slay Arjuna and Bhimasena in battle. Like a second wielder
206
of the thunderbolt, O son of Radha, do thou in great battle achieve

that feat worthy of a hero which was not achieved by those two.
Either seize king Yudhishthira the just or slay Dhananjaya and
Bhimasena, O son of Radha, and the twin sons of Madri. Blessed
be thou, let victory be thine. Set out for battle, O tiger among men.
Reduce to ashes all the troops of Pandu’s son.” Then thousands of
trumpets and tens of thousands of drums, sounded together,
produced a noise like that of the clouds in the welkin. Accepting
those words (of Duryodhana), the foremost of car-warriors
stationed on his car, viz., the son of Radha, addressed Shalya, that
warrior accomplished in battle, saying, “Urge the steeds, O
mighty-armed one, so that I may slay Dhananjaya and Bhimasena
and both the twins and king Yudhishthira. O Shalya, let
Dhananjaya behold today the might of my arms, when I will be
engaged in shooting shafts winged with Kanka feathers in
hundreds and thousands. Today, O Shalya, I will shoot shafts with
great energy for the destruction of the Pandavas and the victory of
Duryodhana.”
“’”Shalya said, “O Suta’s son, why dost thou think so low of the
sons of Pandu, all of whom are endued with great might, all of
whom are great bowmen, and all of whom are acquainted with
every weapon? They are unretreating, of great good fortune,
invincible, and of prowess incapable of being baffled. They are
capable of inspiring fear in the heart of Indra himself. When, son
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of Radha thou wilt hear the twang of Gandiva in battle,

resembling the peal of the thunder itself, thou wilt not then utter
such speeches. When thou wilt behold Dharma’s son and the
twins causing a canopy, like that of the clouds in the welkin, with
their sharp arrows, and the other invincible kings (of the Pandava
army), endued with great lightness of hands and shooting
(showers of shafts) and weakening their foes, then thou wilt not
utter such words.’”
“Sanjaya continued, ‘Disregarding those words spoken by the

ruler of the Madras, Karna addressing him endued with great
activity, saying, “Proceed.”’”
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37
“Sanjaya said, ‘Beholding the mighty Karna take up his station

from desire of battle, the Kauravas, filled with delight, uttered
loud shouts from every side. With the beat of cymbals and the
sound of drums, with the whizz of diverse kinds of arrows and the
roars of combatants endued with great activity, all thy troops
proceeded to battle, making death only the point at which to stop.
When Karna set out and the warriors of the Kuru army were filled
with joy, the Earth, O king, trembled and made a loud noise. The
seven great planets including the Sun seemed to proceed against
one another (for combat). Meteoric showers became noticeable
and all the quarters seemed ablaze. Thunders fell from a cloudless
sky, and fierce winds began to blow. Animals and birds in larger
numbers kept thy army to their right, foreboding great calamities.
After Karna had set out, his steeds tumbled down on the Earth. A
frightful shower of bones fell from the sky. The weapons (of the
Kuru warriors) seemed to be ablaze; their standards trembled; and
their animals, O monarch, shed copious tears. These and many
other terrible and awful portents appeared for the destruction of
the Kurus. Stupefied by destiny, none of them regarded those
portents at all. Beholding the Suta’s son setting out, all the rulers
of men (in the Kaurava army) cried victory to him. The Kauravas
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regarded the Pandavas to have been already vanquished. That

slayer of hostile heroes, that foremost of car-warriors, viz.,
Vaikartana, as he stayed on his car recollecting the death of
Bhishma and Drona, blazed up with splendour like the Sun or fire.
Reflecting on the mighty feats of Partha, and burning with self-
conceit and pride, and blazing with wrath and breathing long and
hard, he addressed Shalya and said these words: “When stationed
on my car and armed with my bow, I would not take fright at
Indra himself armed with the thunder and excited with wrath.
Beholding those great heroes headed by Bhishma lying on the
field of battle, do not feel any anxiety. Seeing even the faultless
Bhishma and Drona, equal unto Indra and Vishnu, those crushers
of foremost of cars and steeds and elephants, those heroes that
were unslayable, slain by the foe, I do not still experience any fear
in this battle. Acquainted with mighty weapons, and himself the
foremost of brahmanas, why, indeed, did not the preceptor slay in
battle all foes, seeing them destroy the mightiest of our kings with
their drivers and elephants and cars? Remembering that Drona in
great battle, I tell you truly, listen to me, ye Kurus, there is none
amongst you, save myself, that is competent to bear the advancing
Arjuna, that warrior who resembles Death himself in his fiercest
form. In Drona were the skills attendant on practice, and might,
and bravery, and the highest of weapons and policy. When even
that high-souled one had to succumb to Death, I regard all the
210
others (of our army), strengthless and on the point of death. In this
world I do not find anything, even on reflection, to be stable, in
consequence of the inevitable connection of acts. When the
preceptor himself is dead, who then will indulge in the certain
belief that he will live till even today’s sun-rise? When the
preceptor was thus slain by the enemy in battle, without doubt
weapons, ordinary and celestial, and might and prowess, and
achievements and wise policy, are not able to compass the
happiness of man. In energy Drona was equal to fire or the Sun, in
prowess he resembled Vishnu or Purandara; in policy he was
equal to Brihaspati or Usana; irresistible as he was, weapons could
not yet protect him. When (our) women and children are weeping
and uttering loud wails, when the valour of the Dhartarashtras has
been defeated, I know it, O Shalya, that it is I who am to fight.
Proceed therefore, against the army of our enemies. Who else,
save myself, will be able to bear those troops amongst whom are
stationed the royal son of Pandu firm in truth, and Bhimasena and
Arjuna, and Satyaki, and the twins? Therefore, O ruler of the
Madras, proceed quickly, in this battle, towards the Pancalas, the
Pandavas, and the Srinjayas. Encountering them in battle, either I
will slay them, or myself to Yama’s presence by the path taken by
Drona. Do not think, O Shalya, that I will not go into the very
midst of those heroes. These intestine dissensions cannot be
tolerated by me. (Without seeking to tolerate them) I will even
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follow in the wake of Drona. Wise or ignorant, when his period is

run out, everybody is equally regarded by the Destroyer; no one
can escape, O learned one, for this, I will proceed against the
Parthas. I am unable to transgress my destiny. The son of
Vichitravirya’s son is, O king, always engaged in doing me good.
For the accomplishment of his purpose, I will cast away my life-
breaths that are so dear, and this body that is so difficult of being
cast away. This foremost of cars covered with tigerskins, with
axle producing no sound equipped with a golden seat endued with
trivenu made of silver, and unto which are yoked these foremost
of steeds, Rama gave unto me. Behold, also, O Shalya, these
beautiful bows, these standards, these maces, these shafts of fierce
forms, this blazing sword, this mighty weapon, this white conch of
fierce and loud blare. Riding upon this car decked with banners,
its wheels producing a rattle deep as that of the thunder, having
white steeds yoked unto it, and adorned with excellent quivers, I
will, putting forth my might, slay in battle that bull among car-
warriors, Arjuna. If Death himself, that universal consumer, were
to protect with vigilance the son of Pandu in battle, I would still
encounter him in fight and either slay him or myself go to Yama’s
presence following Bhishma. If Yama, Varuna, Kuvera, and
Vasava, with all their followers coming hither, unitedly protect the
son of Pandu in this great battle, what need of many words, I will
still vanquish him with them.’”
212
“Sanjaya continued, ‘Hearing these words of the bragging Karna

who was exceedingly delighted with the prospect of battle, the
valiant king of the Madras, deriding him, laughed aloud, and gave
him the following reply for checking him.
“’Shalya said, “Forbear, forbear, O Karna, from such bragging.

Thou art in transports of delight and sayest what thou shouldst
never say. Where is Dhananjaya, that foremost of men, and where
again, art thou, O lowest of men? Who else, save Arjuna, could
take away the younger sister of (Keshava) that foremost of all
persons, having forcibly agitated the home of the Yadus that was
protected by the younger brother of Indra and that resembled
heaven itself that is guarded by the chief of celestials? What man
save Arjuna who is endued with prowess that is equal to the
prowess of the chief of the celestials, could on the occasion of the
dispute caused by the slaughter of an animal, summon Bhava the
Lord of Lords, the Creator of the worlds, to battle? For the sake of
honouring Agni, Jaya had vanquished asuras and gods and great
snakes and men and birds and pishacas and yakshas and rakshasas
with his shafts and gave unto that god the food he had desired.
Dost thou remember, O Karna, the occasion when, slaughtering
those foes in large numbers with his excellent shafts endued with
the effulgence of the Sun, Phalguna liberated Dhritarashtra’s son
himself among the Kurus? Dost thou remember the occasion
when, thyself having been the first to fly away, the quarrelsome
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sons of Dhritarashtra were liberated by the Pandavas after the

latter had defeated those rangers of the skies (the gandharvas
headed by Citraratha)? On the occasion also of the seizure of
(Virata’s) kine, the Kauravas, swelling with numbers in respect of
both men and animals, and having the preceptor and the
preceptor’s son and Bhishma amongst them, were vanquished by
that foremost of men. Why, O son of Suta, didst thou not vanquish
Arjuna then? For thy destruction another excellent battle has now
presented itself. If thou dost not fly away from fear of thy enemy,
know O Suta’s son, that as soon as thou goest to battle thou wilt
be slain.’”
“Sanjaya continued, ‘When the ruler of the Madras was most

heartily engaged in addressing these harsh speeches to Karna and
uttering these praises of the latter’s foe, that scorcher of foes, viz.,
the commander of the Kuru army, excited with rage, said these
words unto the Madra king.
“’Karna said, “Let it be so, let it be so. Why, however, dost thou
indulge in Arjuna’s praises? A battle is about to ensue between
myself and him. If he vanquishes me in fight, then will these thy
praises be regarded as well-uttered.’”
“Sanjaya continued, ‘The ruler of the Madras said, “Let it be so,”

and gave no reply. When Karna, from desire of fight, addressed
Shalya, saying, “Proceed,” then that great carwarrior, having
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white steeds yoked unto his vehicle and owning Shalya as his
charioteer, proceeded against his foes, slaying large numbers in
battle along his way, like the Sun destroying the darkness. Indeed,
on that car covered with tiger-skins and having white steeds yoked
unto it, Karna proceeded with a cheerful heart, and beholding the
army of the Pandavas, speedily enquired after Dhananjaya.’”
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“Sanjaya said ‘After Karna, gladdening thy army, had set out for
battle, he spoke unto every Pandava soldier that he met with, even
these words:
“Unto him that will today point out the high-souled Dhananjaya of
white steeds to me, I will give whatever wealth he desires. If
having got it he does not become satisfied, I shall in addition, give
him,--him that is, that will discover Arjuna to me, a cart-load of
jewels and gems. If that does not satisfy the person who discovers
Arjuna to me, I will give him a century of kine with as many
vessels of brass for milking those animals. I will give a hundred
foremost of villages unto the person that discovers Arjuna to me. I
will also give him that shows Arjuna to me a number of long-
tressed damsels of black eyes and a car unto which shall be yoked
white mules. If that does not satisfy the person that discovers
Arjuna to me, I shall give him another foremost of cars, made of
gold, and having six bulls yoked unto it that shall be as large as
elephants. I shall also give unto him a hundred damsels decked
with ornaments, with collars of gold, fair-complexioned and
accomplished in singing and dancing. If that does not satisfy the
person that discovers Arjuna to me, I shall give him a 100
elephants, a 100 villages and a 100 cars, and 10,000 steeds of the
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foremost of breed, fat, docile, endued with many excellent

qualities, capable of dragging cars and well-trained. I shall also
give to the person that discovers Arjuna to me four hundred kine,
each with golden horns and her calf. If that does not satisfy the
person that discovers Arjuna to me, I shall make him a more
valuable gift, viz., five hundred steeds, adorned with trappings of
gold and decked with jewelled ornaments. I shall also give
eighteen other steeds of great docility. I shall also give the person
that discovers Arjuna to me a bright car made of gold and adorned
with diverse ornaments and having foremost of Kamboja steeds
yoked unto it. If that does not satisfy the person that discovers
Arjuna to me, I shall make him a more valuable gift, viz., six
hundred elephants, with chains of gold around their necks, and
covered with housings of gold, born in the western shores of the
ocean, and trained by elephant trainers. If that does not satisfy the
person that discovers Arjuna to me, I shall make him a more
valuable gift, viz., fourteen Vaishya villages, teeming with people,
full of wealth, situated in the proximity of forests and rivers, free
from all sorts of danger, well furnished (with other necessaries),
and worthy of being enjoyed by kings. To him that will discover
Dhananjaya to me, I shall also give a hundred female slaves, with
golden collars, belonging to the country of the Magadhas, and of
very youthful age. If that does not satisfy the person that discovers
Arjuna to me, I will make him a more valuable gift, that, indeed,
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which he himself will solicit. Sons, wives and articles of pleasure

and enjoyment that I have, these all I shall give him if he desires
them. Indeed, unto him who discovers Keshava and Arjuna to me,
I shall, after slaying those two, give all the wealth that may be left
by them.” Having uttered those diverse speeches in that battle,
Karna blew his excellent conch, sea-born and producing a sweet
blare. Hearing these words of Suta’s son that were suitable to his
disposition, Duryodhana, O king, with all his followers became
filled with joy. At that juncture the beat of cymbals and drums and
leonine shouts, and grunts of elephants with the sounds of diverse
musical instruments, arose there, O king, among the (Kaurava)
troops, O bull among men. The shouts also of warriors filled with
joy arose there. When the (Kaurava) troops were thus filled with
joy, the ruler of the Madras, laughing in scorn, said these words
unto that grinder of foes, viz., the son of Radha, that mighty car-
warrior who was about to plunge into that ocean of battle and who
was indulging in such vain bragging.’”
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“’Shalya said, “Do not, O Suta’s son, give away to any man a
golden car with six bulls of elephantine proportions. Thou wilt
obtain a sight of Dhananjaya today. From foolishness thou art
giving away wealth as if thou wert the Lord of treasures. Without
any trouble, however, O son of Radha, thou wilt behold
Dhananjaya today. Thou art for giving away this wealth like a
senseless person; but thou seest not the demerits attaching to those
gifts that are made to undeserving persons. With that large wealth
which thou art desirous of giving away, thou art certainly able to
perform many sacrifices. Therefore, O Suta’s son, do thou
perform those sacrifices. As regards thy desire, entertained from
folly, that is surely vain. We have never heard of a couple of lions
having been overthrown by a fox. Thou seekest what should never
be sought by thee. It seems that thou hast no friends for forbidding
thee that art speedily falling into a blazing fire. Thou art unable to
discriminate between what thou shouldst do and what thou
shouldst not. Without doubt thy period is full. What man desirous
of living would utter speeches that are so incoherent and
undeserving of being listened to? This thy endeavour is like that
of a person desirous of crossing the ocean by the aid of only his
two arms after having attached to his neck a heavy stone, or of
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one desirous of leaping down from the summit of a mountain. If

thou art desirous of winning what is for thy good, fight with
Dhananjaya, well protected from within thy arrayed division, and
aided by all thy warriors. I say this to thee for the good of
Dhritarashtra’s son and not from any ill will to thee. If thou hast
any wish for preserving thy life then accept the words spoken by
me.”
“’Karna said, “Relying on the might of my own arms I seek

Arjuna in battle. Thou, however, that art a foe with the face of a
friend desirest to frighten me. No person shall deter me from this
resolution, not even Indra himself uplifting his thunder; what then
need be said of a mortal?’”
“Sanjaya continued, ‘At the conclusion of these words of Karna,

Shalya, the ruler of the Madras, desirous of provoking Karna
exceedingly, said these words in reply, “When keen-pointed shafts
winged with Kanka feathers, shot by Phalguna of mighty arms and
impelled from his bow-string and sped with all his energy will
seek thee then wilt thou lament thy encounter with that hero.
When Partha, called also Savyasaci, taking up his celestial bow,
will scorch the (Kuru) army and afflict thee exceedingly with keen
shafts, then, O Suta’s son, wilt thou repent (of thy folly). As a
child lying on the lap of its mother seeks to seize the Moon, even
so dost thou from folly seek to vanquish the resplendent Arjuna
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stationed on his car. In desiring, O Karna, to fight today with

Arjuna of keen-edged feats, thou art for rubbing all thy limbs
against the keen edges of a trident. This thy challenge of Arjuna,
O Suta’s son, is like that of a foolish young little deer of activity
challenging a huge lion excited with wrath. Do not, O Suta’s son,
challenge that prince of mighty energy like a fox gratified with
meat in the forest challenging the maned monarch of the forest.
Do not be destroyed, encountering Arjuna. Thou, O Karna,
challengest Dhananjaya, the son of Pritha, even like a hare
challenging a mighty elephant with tusks large as plough-shafts,
and with the juice issuing out of its mouth and rent cheeks. From
folly thou art piercing, with a piece of wood, the black cobra of
virulent poison excited to fury within its hole, in desiring to fight
with Partha. Endued with little understanding, thou, O Karna,
disregarding that lion among men, viz., the son of Pandu, yellest
at him, like a jackal that, disregarding a maned lion excited with
wrath, yells at him. As a snake, for its own destruction, challenges
that foremost of birds, viz., Vinata’s son, possessed of beautiful
plumage and great activity, even so dost thou, O Karna, challenge
Dhananjaya the son of Pandu. Thou desirest to cross without a raft
the terrible ocean, the receptacle of all the waters, with its
mountain waves and teeming with aquatic animals, when at its
height at the rise of the Moon. O Karna, thou challengest
Dhananjaya, the son of Pritha, to battle even like a calf
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challenging a smiting bull of keen horns and neck thick as a drum.

Like a frog croaking at a terrible and mighty cloud yielding
copious showers of rain, thou croakest at Arjuna who is even like
Parjanya among men. As a dog from within the precincts of the
house of his master barks at a forest-roaming tiger, even so, O
Karna, thou barkest at Dhananjaya, that tiger among men. A
jackal, O Karna, residing in the forest in the midst of hares
regardeth himself a lion till he actually sees a lion. Even so, O
son of Radha, thou regardest thyself a lion, for thou dost not
behold that repressor of foes, that tiger among men, viz.,
Dhananjaya. Thou regardest thyself a lion till thou beholdest the
two Krishnas stationed on the same car like Surya and Candramas.
As long as thou dost not hear the twang of Gandiva in great battle,
so long art thou able to do what thou pleasest. Beholding Partha,
causing the ten points of the compass to resound with the roar of
his car and the twang of his bow, and beholding him roaring like a
tiger, thou wilt become a jackal. Thou art always a jackal, and
Dhananjaya always a lion. O fool, in consequence of thy envy and
hatred for heroes, thou always, seemest to be like a jackal. As a
mouse and a car are to each other in strength, or a dog and a tiger,
a fox and a lion, or a hare and an elephant, as falsehood and truth,
as poison and nectar, even so art thou and Partha known to all by
your respective deeds.’”
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“Sanjaya said, ‘Thus rebuked by Shalya of immeasurable energy,

the son of Radha, feeling the propriety of his rebuker’s name in
consequence of his wordy darts, and becoming filled with rage,
answered him thus:
“’Karna said, “The merits of meritorious men, O Shalya, are

known to them that are themselves meritorious but not to them
that are destitute of merit. Thou, however, art destitute of every
merit. How then canst thou judge of merit and demerit? The
mighty weapons of Arjuna, his wrath, his energy, his bow, his
shafts and the prowess also of that high-souled hero are, O Shalya,
well known to me. So also, O Shalya, thou dost not know, so as
well as I myself, the greatness of Krishna, that bull among the
lords of Earth. But knowing my own energy as also that of
Pandu’s son, I challenge him to battle, O Shalya, I do not act like
an insect in respect of a blazing fire. I have this shaft, O Shalya, of
keen mouth, blood-drinking, lying alone within one quiver,
equipped with wings, well-steeped in oil and well-adorned. It lieth
amid sandal dust, worshipped by me for long years. Partaking of
the nature and form of a snake, it is poisonous and fierce and
capable of killing large numbers of men and steeds and elephants
of terrible form, and exceedingly awful, it is capable of piercing
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coats of mail and bones. Inspired with wrath, I may pierce even
the mighty mountains of Meru with it. That shaft I will never
shoot at any other person save Phalguna or Krishna, the son of
Devaki. In this I tell thee the truth. Listen to it. With that shaft, O
Shalya, I will, inspired with rage, fight with Vasudeva and
Dhananjaya. That would be a feat worthy of me. Of all the heroes
in the Vrishni race, it is Krishna in whom Prosperity is always
established. Among all the sons of Pandu, it is Partha in whom
Victory is always established. Those two tigers among men,
stationed together on the same car, will advance against my single
self for battle. Thou shalt, O Shalya, behold today the nobility of
my lineage. Those two cousins, one of whom is the son of the aunt
and the other the son of the maternal uncle, those two invincible
warriors, thou shalt see, will be slain by me (with one shaft) and
will look like two pearls strung together in the same string.
Arjuna’s gandiva and the ape-bearing banner, and Krishna’s
discus and the Garuda-bearing banner, inspire with fear only those
that are timid. To me, however, O Shalya, they are causes of
delight. Thou art a fool, of evil disposition, and unskilled in the
ways of great battle. Overcome with terror, thou utterest these
ravings. Or, thou art praising them for some reason not known to
me. Having slain those two first, I shall then slay thee today with
all thy kinsmen. Born in a sinful country thou art wicked-souled
and mean, and a wretch amongst kshatriyas. Being a friend, why
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dost thou, like an enemy, frighten me with these praises of the two
Krishnas? Either they two will slay me today or I will slay them
two. Knowing as I do my own might, I do not cherish any fear of
the two Krishnas. A 1,000 Vasudevas and hundreds of Phalgunas,
I shall, single-handed, slay. Hold thy tongue, O thou that art born
in a sinful country. Hear from me, O Shalya, the sayings, already
passed into proverbs, that men, young and old, and women, and
persons arrived in course of their listless wanderings, generally
utter, as if those sayings formed part of their studies, about the
wicked Madrakas. brahmanas also duly narrated the same things
formerly in the courts of kings. Listening to those sayings
attentively, O fool, thou mayst forgive or rejoin. The Madraka is
always a hater of friends. He that hateth us is a Madraka. There is
no friendship in the Madraka who is mean in speech and is the
lowest of mankind. The Madraka is always a person of wicked
soul, is always untruthful and crooked. It hath been heard by us
that till the moment of death the Madrakas are wicked. (Amongst
the Madrakas) the sire, the son, the mother, the mother-in-law, the
brother, the grand-son, and other kinsmen, companions, strangers
arrived at their homes, slaves male and female, mingle together.
The women of the Madrakas mingle, at their own will, with men
known and unknown. Of unrighteous conduct, and subsisting
upon fried and powdered corn and fish, in their homes, they laugh
and cry having drunk spirits and eaten beef. They sing incoherent
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songs and mingle lustfully with one another, indulging the while
in the freest speeches. How then can virtue have a place amongst
the Madrakas who are arrogant and notorious for all kinds of evil
acts? No one should make friends with a Madraka or provoke
hostilities with him. In the Madraka land there is no friendship.
The Madraka is always the dirt of humanity. Amongst the
Madrakas all acts of friendship are lost as purity amongst the
Gandharakas and the libations poured in a sacrifice in which the
king is himself the sacrificer and priest. Then again, it is truly seen
that wise men treat a person bit by a scorpion and affected by its
poison, even with these words: ‘As a brahmana that assists at the
religious ceremonies of a Shudra suffereth degradation, as one
that hateth brahmanas always suffereth degradation, even so a
person by making an alliance with the Madrakas becometh fallen.
As there is no friendship in the Madraka, so, O scorpion, thy
poison is nought.’ With these mantras of the Atharvan I have duly
performed the rite of exorcism. Knowing this, O learned one, hold
thy tongue, or listen to something further that I will say. Those
women that, intoxicated by spirits, cast off their robes and dance,
those women that are not attached (to particular individuals) in the
matter of intercourse and that they do as they please without
owning any restrictions, I say, that being as thou art the child of
one of those women, how canst thou, O Madraka, be a fit person
for declaring the duties of men? Those women that live and
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answer calls of nature like camels and asses, being as thou art the
child of one of those sinful and shameless creatures, how canst
thou wish to declare the duties of men? When a Madraka woman
is solicited for the gift of a little quantity of vinegar, she scratches
her hips and without being desirous of giving it, says these cruel
words, ‘Let no man ask any vinegar of me that is so dear to me. I
would give him my son, I would give him my husband, but
vinegar I would not give.’ The young Madraka maidens, we hear,
are generally very shameless and hairy and gluttonous and
impure. These and many other things of a like nature, in respect of
all their acts, from the crown of their heads to the tip of their toes,
are capable of being asserted of them by myself and others. How,
indeed, would the Madrakas and the Sindhu-Sauviras know
anything of duty, being born, as they are, in a sinful country,
being mlecchas in their practices, and being totally regardless of
all duties? It hath been heard by us that even this is the highest
duty of a kshatriya, viz., that slain in battle, he should lie down on
the Earth, applauded by the righteous. That I should lay down (my
life) in this clash of arms is my foremost wish, desirous as I am of
heaven through Death. I am also the dear friend of the intelligent
son of Dhritarashtra. For his sake are my life-breaths and
whatever wealth I have! As regards thyself, O thou that art born in
a sinful country, it is evident that thou hast been tampered with by
the Pandavas, since thou behavest towards us in everything like a
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foe. Like a righteous man that is incapable of being led astray by

atheists, surely I am incapable of being dissuaded from this battle
by hundreds of persons like thee. Like a deer, covered with sweat,
thou art at liberty to weep or thirst. Observant as I am of the
duties of a kshatriya, I am incapable of being frightened by thee. I
recall to my mind the end, declared unto me in past times by my
preceptor Rama, of those lions among men, those unreturning
heroes, that laid down their lives in battle. Prepared for rescuing
the Kauravas and slaying our foes, know that I am now
determined to imitate the excellent behaviour of Pururavas. I do
not, O ruler of the Madrakas, behold the person in the three
worlds that can, I think, dissuade me from this purpose. Forbear to
speak, knowing all this. Why dost thou rave in such a way from
fear? O wretch amongst the Madrakas, I shall not now slay thee
and present thy carcase as an offering to carnivorous creatures.
From regard for a friend, O Shalya, for the sake of Dhritarashtra’s
son, and for avoiding blame, for these three reasons, thou still
livest. If, O ruler of the Madras, thou speakest such words again, I
shall then crush thy head with my mace that is as hard as the
thunder. People will today see or hear, O thou that art born in a
sinful country, either that the two Krishnas have slain Karna or
that Karna has slain the two Krishnas.” Having said these words,
the son of Radha, O monarch, once more addressed the king of the
Madras, fearlessly saying, “Proceed, proceed.’”
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“Sanjaya said, ‘Hearing, O sire, these words of Radha’s son who

delighted in battle, Shalya once more addressed Karna, citing an
example, “I am born in the race of men who performed great
sacrifices, who never retreated from battle, who were kings whose
coronal locks underwent the sacred bath. I am also myself devoted
to the practice of virtue. Thou, O Vrisha, seemest to be like one
that is intoxicated with spirits. For all that, I will, from friendship,
seek to cure thy erring and intoxicated self. Listen, O Karna, to
this simile of a crow that I am about to narrate. Having heard it,
thou mayest do what thou choosest, O thou that art destitute of
intelligence and that art a wretch of thy race. I do not, O Karna,
remember the slightest fault in me for which, O thou of mighty
arms, thou mayst desire to slay my innocent self. I must tell thee
what is for thy good and what is for thy ill, acquainted as I am
with both, especially as I am the driver of thy car and desirous of
the good of king Duryodhana. What land is level and what not, the
strength or weakness of the warrior (on my vehicle), the fatigue
and faintness, at all times, of the steeds and the warrior (I am
driving), a knowledge of the weapons that are available, the cries
of animals and birds, what would be heavy for the steeds and what
exceedingly heavy for them, the extraction of arrows and the
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curing of wounds which weapons counteract which, the several

methods of battle, and all kinds of omens and indications, I who
am so nearly connected with this car, being none else than its
driver, should be familiar with. For this, O Karna, I narrate this
instance to thee once more. There lived on the other side of the
ocean a Vaishya who had abundance of wealth and corn. He
performed sacrifices, made liberal gifts, was peaceful, devoted to
the duties of his own order, and pure in habits and mind. He had
many sons whom he loved, and was kind unto all creatures. He
lived fearlessly in the dominions of a king that was guided by
virtue. There was a crow that lived on the refuse of the dishes set
before those well-behaved young children of the Vaishya. Those
Vaishya children always gave the crow meat and curds, and milk,
and sugared milk with rice, and honey, and butter. Thus fed with
the refuse of their dishes by the young children of that Vaishya,
the crow became arrogant and came to disregard all birds that
were equal to him or even superior. It chanced that once certain
swans of cheerful hearts, of great speed and capable of going
everywhere at will and equal unto Garuda himself in range and
speed of flight, came to that side of the ocean. The Vaishya boys,
beholding those swans, addressed the crow and said, ‘O ranger of
the skies, thou art superior to all winged creatures.’ Deceived by
those children of little understanding, that oviparous creature from
folly and pride, regarded their words to be true. Proud of the
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refuse of the children’s dishes upon which he fed, the crow then,
alighting in the midst of those swans capable of traversing great
distances, desired to enquire as to who amongst them was their
leader. The foolish crow at last challenged him amongst those
birds of tireless wings whom he regarded their leader, saying, ‘Let
us compete in flight.’ Hearing those words of the raving crow, the
swans that had assembled there, those foremost of birds endued
with great strength, began to laugh. The swans then, that were
capable of going everywhere at will, addressed the crow, saying.
‘We are swans, having our abode in the Manasa lake. We traverse
the whole Earth, and amongst winged creatures we are always
applauded for the length of the distances we traverse. Being, as
thou art, only a crow, how canst thou, O fool, challenge a swan
endued with might, capable of going everywhere at will, and
doing large distances in course of his flight? Tell us, O crow, how
thou shalt fly with us.’ The boastful crow, in consequence of the
foolishness of his species, repeatedly finding fault with the words
of that swan, at last gave this answer. The crow said, ‘I shall
without doubt fly displaying a hundred and one different kinds of
motion. Doing every hundred Yojanas in a separate and beautiful
kind of motion, I shall display all those motions. Rising up, and
swooping down, and whirling around, and coursing straight, and
proceeding gently, and advancing steadily, and performing the
diverse courses up and receding back, and soaring high, and
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darting forward and soaring upwards with fiercer velocity, and

once more proceeding gently and then proceeding with great
impetuosity, and once again swooping down and whirling around
and advancing steadily, and rising up by the jerks, and soaring
straight, and once more falling down and wheeling in a circle and
rushing proudly, and diverse other kinds of motion, these all I
shall display in the sight of all you. Ye shall then witness my
strength. With one of these different kinds of motion I shall
presently rise into the sky. Point out duly, ye swans, by which of
these motions I shall course through space. Settling the kind of
motion amongst yourselves, you will have to course with me.
Adopting all those different motion, ye shall have to course with
me through supportless space.’ The crow having said these words,
one of the swans addressed him, ‘Listen, O son of Radha, to the
words that the swan said. The swan spoke, ‘Thou, O crow, wilt
doubtless fly the hundred and one different kinds of flight. I shall,
however, fly in that one kind of motion that all (other) birds know,
for I do not, O crow, know any other. As regards thee, O thou of
red eyes, fly thou in any kind of course that thou likest.’ At these
words, those crows that had been assembled there laughed aloud,
saying, ‘How will the swan with only one kind of flight get the
better of a hundred different kinds of flight?’
“’”Then those two, viz., the swan and the crow, rose into the sky,
challenging each other. Capable of going everywhere at will, the
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swan proceeded in one kind of motion, while the crow coursed in

a hundred different kinds. And the swan flew and the crow also
flew, causing each other to wonder (at his skill) and each speaking
highly of his own achievements. Beholding the diverse kinds of
flight at successive instants of time, the crows that were there
were filled with great joy and began to caw more loudly. The
swans also laughed in mockery, uttering many remarks
disagreeable (to the crows). And they began to soar and alight
repeatedly, here and there. And they began to come down and rise
up from tree-tops and the surface of the earth. And they uttered
diverse cries indicative of their victory. The swan, however, with
that one kind of slow motion (with which he was familiar) began
to traverse the skies. For a moment, therefore, O sire, he seemed
to yield to the crow. The crows, at this, disregarding the swans,
said these words: ‘That swan amongst you which has soared into
the sky, is evidently yielding’. Hearing these words, the (soaring)
swan flew westwards with great velocity to the ocean, that abode
of Makaras. Then fear entered the heart of the crow who became
almost senseless at not seeing any island or trees whereon to perch
when tired. And the crow thought within his heart as to where he
should alight when tired, upon that vast expanse of water. The
ocean, being as it is the abode of countless creatures, is
irresistible.
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Dwelt in by hundreds of monsters, it is grander than space.

Nothing can exceed it in depth, O Suta’s son. Men know, O
Karna, that the waters of the ocean are as limitless as space. For
the extent of its waters, O Karna, what is a crow to it? The swan,
having traversed a great distance in a moment, looked back at the
crow, and (though capable) could not leave him behind. Having
transgressed the crow, the swan cast his eyes on him and waited,
thinking, ‘Let the crow come up.’ The crow then, exceedingly
tired, came up to the swan. Beholding him succumbing, and about
to sink, and desirous of rescuing him in remembrance of the
practices of good folks, the swan addressed him in these words,
‘Thou hadst repeatedly spoken of many kinds of flight while
speaking on the subject. Thou wouldst not speak of this (thy
present motion) because of its having been a mystery to us? What
is the name of this kind of flight, O crow, that thou hast now
adopted? Thou touchest the waters with thy wings and beak
repeatedly. Which amongst those diverse kinds of flight is this, O
crow, that thou art now practising? Come, come, quickly, O crow,
for I am waiting for thee.””
“’Shalya continued, “Exceedingly afflicted, and touching the

water with his wings and beak, O thou of wicked soul, the crow,
beheld in that state by the swan, addressed the latter. Indeed, not
seeing the limit of that watery expanse and sinking down in
fatigue, and exhausted with the effort of his flight the crow said
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unto the swan, ‘We are crows, we wander hither and thither,
crying-caw, caw. ‘O swan, I seek thy protection, placing my life-
breaths at thy hands. Oh, take me to the shores of the ocean with
the wings and beak.’ The crow, very much fatigued, suddenly fell
down. Beholding him fallen upon the waters of the ocean with a
melancholy heart, the swan, addressing the crow who was on the
point of death, said these words, ‘Remember, O crow, what thou
hadst said in praise of thyself. The words even were that thou
wouldst course through the sky in a hundred and one different
kinds of flight. Thou, therefore that wouldst fly a hundred
different kinds of flight, thou that art superior to me, alas, why
then art thou tired and fallen down on the ocean?’ Overcome with
weakness, the crow then, casting his eyes upwards at the swan,
and seeking to gratify him, replied, saying, ‘Proud of the remains
of others’ dishes upon which I fed, I had, O swan, regarded myself
as the equal of Garuda and disregarded all crows and many other
birds. I now, however, seek thy protection and place my life-
breaths at thy hands. Oh, take me to the shores of some island. If,
O swan, I can, O lord, return in safety to my own country, I will
never again disregard anybody. Oh rescue me now from this
calamity.’ Him that said so and was so melancholy and weeping
and deprived of senses, him that was sinking in the ocean, uttering
cries ‘caw, caw,’ him so drenched by the water and so disgusting
to look at and trembling with fear, the swan, without a word, took
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up with his feet, and slowly caused him to ride on his back.
Having caused the crow whose senses had deserted him to ride
upon his back, the swan quickly returned to that island whence
they had both flown, challenging each other. Placing down that
ranger of the sky on dry land and comforting him, the swan, fleet
as the mind, proceeded to the region he desired. Thus was that
crow, fed on the remains of others’ dinners, vanquished by the
swan. The crow, then, casting off the pride of might and energy,
adopted a life of peace and quiet. Indeed, even, as that crow, fed
upon the remains of the dinners of the Vaishya children,
disregarded his equals and superiors, so dost thou, O Karna, that
art fed by the sons of Dhritarashtra upon the remains of their
dishes, disregard all thy equals and superiors. Why didst thou not
slay Partha at Virata’s city when thou hadst the advantage of
being protected by Drona and Drona’s son and Kripa and
Bhishma and the other Kauravas? There where, like a pack of
jackals defeated by a lion, ye all were defeated with great
slaughter by the diadem-decked Arjuna, what became of your
prowess? Beholding also thy brother slain by Savyasaci, in the
very sight of the Kuru heroes, it was thou that didst fly away first.
By the skirts also of the dvaitya lake, O Karna, when thou wert
assailed by the Gandharvas, it was thou that, deserting all the
Kurus, didst first run away. Having vanquished in battle the
Gandharvas headed by Citrasena, with great slaughter, it was
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Partha, O Karna, that liberated Duryodhana with his wife. Rama

himself, O Karna, before the kings in the (Kuru) assembly spake
of the great prowess of both Partha and Keshava. Thou didst
frequently hear the words of Drona and Bhishma, speaking in the
presence of all the kings, that the two Krishnas are unslayable. I
have told thee a little only regarding those matters in which
Dhananjaya is superior to thee like the brahmana who is superior
to all created beings. Soon wilt thou see, stationed on that
foremost of cars, the son of Vasudeva and the son of Kunti and
Pandu. As the crow (in the story), acting with intelligence, had
sought the protection of the swan, so do thou seek the protection
of him of Vrishni’s race, and of Pandu’s son Dhananjaya. When
thou shalt in battle behold Vasudeva and Dhananjaya, those two
endued with great prowess, stationed together on the same car,
thou shalt not then, O Karna, utter such speeches. When Partha
will, with hundreds of arrows, quell thy pride, then wilt thou
behold the difference between thyself and Dhananjaya. Those two
best of persons are celebrated among the gods, the Asuras and
human beings. Thou that art a firefly, do not, from folly, think
disrespectfully of those two resplendent luminaries. Like the Sun
and moon, Keshava and Arjuna are celebrated for their
resplendence. Thou, however, art like a fire-fly among men. O
learned one, O son of a Suta, do not think disrespectfully of
Acyuta and Arjuna.
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Those two high-souled persons are lions among men. Forbear

indulging in such boasts.”
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“Sanjaya said, ‘The high-souled son of Adhiratha, having listened

unconvinced to these words of the ruler of the Madras, addressed
Shalya, saying, “That which Vasudeva and Arjuna are is well-
known to me. The skill of Saurin in the management of cars, and
the might and the high weapons of Arjuna, the son of Pandu are
well known to me at this hour. Thou however, O Shalya, hast no
ocular proof of those matters. I shall fearlessly fight with the two
Krishnas, those two foremost of all wielders of weapons. The
curse, however, of Rama that best of regenerate persons, paineth
me greatly today. I dwelt, in the disguise of a brahmana, with
Rama in former days, desirous of obtaining celestial weapons
from him. On that occasion, O Shalya, the chief of the gods,
wishing to benefit Phalguna, caused an obstacle, by approaching
my thigh and piercing it, having assumed the dire form of a worm.
When my preceptor slept, having laid his head thereon, that worm,
approaching my thigh, began to pierce it through. In consequence
of the piercing of my thigh, a pool of thick blood flowed from my
body. For fear of (disturbing the slumber of) my preceptor I did
not move my limb. Awaking, the brahmana, however, beheld
what had taken place. Witnessing my patience he addressed me,
saying, ‘Thou art never a brahmana. Tell me truly who thou art.’ I
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then, O Shalya, truly informed him of myself, saying that I was a

Suta. Hearing my words, the great ascetic, his heart filled with
rage, cursed me, saying, ‘In consequence of the deception, O Suta,
by which thou hast obtained this weapon, it will never, at the time
of need, when the hour of thy death comes, occur to thy memory.
Brahma cannot certainly reside in one that is not a brahmana.’ I
have forgotten that great weapon in this fierce and terrible battle.
He amongst the Bharatas, O Shalya, who is accomplished, who is
an effectual smiter, who is universal destroyer, and who is
exceedingly terrible, (viz., Arjuna),--that mighty crusher,--I think,
will burn many foremost of kshatriyas. Know, however, O Shalya,
that I will slay in battle that fierce bowman, that foremost of
warriors, that hero endued with activity, that terrible person whose
energy is unbearable, that warrior whose promises are
accomplished, that son of Pandu, viz., Dhananjaya. I have that
weapon (at least) under my control today with which I will be able
to destroy large numbers of foes. I will slay in battle that scorcher
of enemies, that mighty warrior accomplished in weapons, that
fierce bowman of immeasurable energy, that cruel and terrible
hero, that great resister of enemies, viz., Dhananjaya. The
immeasurable Ocean, that lord of all waters, rusheth with fierce
impetuosity for overwhelming innumerable creatures. The
continent, however, holds and checks him. Today, in this world, I
will resist in fight the son of Kunti, that foremost of all drawers of
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the bow-string, while he will be engaged in ceaselessly shooting

his countless shafts equipped with goodly wings, destructive of
heroes, capable of penetrating into every limb and none of which
becomes futile. Like the continent resisting the Ocean, I will today
resist that mightiest of the mighty, that great warrior possessing
the highest weapons, that hero like unto the Ocean’s self of far-
reaching arrows, fierce, and having shafts for his waves, while he
will be engaged in overwhelming (hostile) kings. Behold today
the fierce battle I fight with him that hath no equal, I think, among
men wielding the bow, and that would vanquish the very gods
united with the Asuras. Exceedingly proud is that son of Pandu.
Desirous of battle he will approach me with his mighty and super-
human weapons. Baffling his weapons with my own weapons in
battle, I shall today overthrow that Partha with my own excellent
shafts. Scorching his foes like the Sun endued with fiery rays, and
blazing with flame like that dispeller of the darkness, I shall, like a
mass of clouds, completely shroud Dhananjaya today with my
shafts. Like the clouds extinguishing a blazing fire of great energy
and smoke-mixed flames, that seems ready to consume the whole
Earth, I shall, with my showers of arrows, extinguish the son of
Kunti in battle. With my broad-headed shafts I shall still the son
of Kunti, that terrible snake of virulent poison, that is exceedingly
difficult of being captured, that is endued with keen fangs, that is
even like a blazing fire that flames up in wrath, and that always
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consumes his foes. Like Himavat bearing the mighty, all-crushing,

fierce and smiting god of wind, I shall, without moving, bear the
angry and vindictive Dhananjaya. I shall resist in battle
Dhananjaya, that foremost of all wielders of bows in the world,
that hero in fight, that warrior who is always in the van and who is
competent to meet all foes, that car-warrior who is conversant
with all car-tracks. Today I shall fight in battle with that person
who hath, I think, no equal among men wielding the bow and who
conquered the entire Earth. What other man desirous of saving his
life, except myself, will fight with that Savyasaci, who vanquished
all creatures including the very gods in the country called
Khandava? Arjuna is proud; his weapons strike deep; he is endued
with great lightness of hands; he is conversant with steeds; he
agitates vast hosts; he is regarded an Atiratha. Though such, I
shall yet, with my sharp shafts, strike his head from off his trunk
today. O Shalya, ever keeping Death or victory in battle before
me, I shall today fight with Dhananjaya. There is none else save
myself that would on a single car fight with that Pandava who
resembles the destroyer himself. I myself will gladly speak of the
prowess of Phalguna in the midst of an assembly of kshatriyas.
Why however, dost thou, a fool as thou art and of foolish
understanding, speak to me of Phalguna’s prowess? Thou art a
doer of disagreeable deeds. Thou art cruel and mean and being
thyself unforgiving, thou art a detractor of one that is forgiving. I
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can slay a hundred persons like thee, but I forgive thee in

consequence of my forgiving disposition, owing to the exigency
of the times. Thou art of sinful deeds. Like a fool thou hast, for the
sake of Pandu’s son, rebuked me and told me many disagreeable
things. Crooked-hearted as thou art, thou hast said all these words
unto me, that am of a sincere heart. Cursed art thou for thou art an
injurer of friends,--of friends, because friendship is seven-paced.
Terrible is the hour that is now passing. Duryodhana hath himself
come to battle. I am solicitous of seeing his purposes achieved.
Thou, however, art acting in such a way that it shows thee to have
no friendship (for the Kuru king)! He is a friend who shows
affection for another, who gladdens another, who makes himself
agreeable to another, who protects another, who honours another,
and who rejoices in the joys of another. I tell thee that I have all
those attributes, and the king himself knows all this. He, on the
other hand, that destroys, chastises, sharpens his weapons, injures,
causes us to sigh, makes us cheerless, and wrongs us in diverse
ways, is a foe. All these attributes are to be found in thee and thou
discoverest all of them in me. For the sake of Duryodhana, for the
sake of doing what is agreeable to thee, for the sake of victory, for
the sake of myself, and for the sake of God himself, I will with
vigorous exertion, fight with Partha and Vasudeva. Witness today
my feats. Behold today my excellent weapons, my brahmastra and
other celestial weapons, as also those that are human. I will today
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slay that hero of fierce prowess, like an exceedingly infuriate

elephant slaying an infuriate compeer. I shall, by my mind alone,
hurl today at Partha, for my victory, that weapon of immeasurable
energy, called the brahmastra. Arjuna will never be able to escape
that weapon, if only the wheels of my car do not sink into the
Earth in battle today. Know this, O Shalya, that I would not take
fright at Yama himself armed with his rod, or Varuna himself
armed with his noose, or Kuvera himself armed with his mace, or
Vasava himself armed with the thunderbolt, or at any other foe
whatever that may approach for slaying me. Therefore, I have no
fear from Partha, nor from Janardana. On the other hand, I shall
encounter them both in today’s destructive battle. Once on a time,
while wandering for the sake of practising weapons on my bow
called Vijaya, O king, I had, by shooting many fierce shafts of
terrible forms, heedlessly struck the calf of a (brahmana’s) homa
cow with one of those shafts, and unwillingly killed it white it was
wandering in a solitary forest. The brahmana then addressed me,
saying, ‘Since, becoming insensate, thou hast slain the offspring
of my homa cow, the wheel (of thy car) will sink into the Earth
while at the time of battle fear will enter thy heart.’ From these
words of the brahmana I am experiencing great fear. These kings
of the Lunar race that are lords of (other people’s) weal and woe,
offered to give that brahmana a 1,000 kine and 600 bovine bulls.
With even such a gift, O Shalya, the brahmana would not be
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gratified, O ruler of the Madras. I was then for giving him seven
hundred elephants of large tusks and many hundred of slaves male
and female. That foremost of brahmana would not still be
gratified. Collecting next full 14,000 kine, each black in hue and
having a white calf I was still unable to obtain the grace of that
best of brahmana. A wealthy mansion full of every object of
desire, in fact, whatever wealth I had, I wished to give him with
due worship, but he refused to accept the gift. Unto me then that
had offended and that had begged so importunately for his pardon,
the brahmana said, ‘That which, O Suta, hath been uttered by me
is sure to happen. It cannot be otherwise. A false speech would
destroy creatures, and sin also would be mine. Therefore, for the
preservation of virtue I do not venture to speak what is false. Do
not, again, destroy the means of a brahmana’s support. There is
none in the world that would be able to falsify my speech. Accept
those words. It will be thy atonement (for the sin of having slain a
calf).’ Though rebuked by thee, still for friendship’s sake, I have
disclosed to thee all this. I know thee that art rebuking me thus. Be
silent now, and hear what I will presently say.’”
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“Sanjaya said, ‘That chastiser of foes, viz., the son of Radha, thus
silencing the ruler of the Madras, once more addressed him, O
monarch, saying these words, “In answer to that which, O Shalya,
thou hast said unto me by way of instance, I tell thee that I am
incapable of being frightened by thee in battle with thy words. If
all the gods themselves with Vasava would fight with me, I would
not still feel any fear, what need be said then of my fears from
Pritha and Keshava? I am incapable of being frightened by means
of words alone. He, O Shalya, whom thou wouldst be able to
frighten in battle is some other person (and not myself)! Thou hast
spoken many bitter words to me. Therein lieth the strength of a
person that is low. Incapable of speaking of my merits, thou sayst
many bitter things, O thou of wicked heart; Karna was never born,
O Madraka, for fear in battle. On the other hand, I was born for
displaying valour as also for achieving glory for my own self. For
the sake of my friendship for thee, for my affection, and for thy
being an ally,--for these three reasons thou still livest, O Shalya.
Important is the task that has now to be done for king
Dhritarashtra. That task, O Shalya, depends on me. For this, thou
livest a moment. Before this, I made a compact with thee that any
disagreeable speeches thou mightest utter would be pardoned by
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me. That compact should be observed. It is for this that thou

livest, O Madraka. Without a 1,000 Salyas I would vanquish my
foes. He that injureth a friend is sinful. It is for this that thou livest
for the present.’”
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“’Shalya said, “These, O Karna, are ravings that thou utterest

regarding the foe. As regards myself without a 1,000 Karnas I am
able to vanquish the foe in battle.’”
“Sanjaya continued, ‘Unto the ruler of Madras, of harsh features,

who was saying such disagreeable things unto Karna, the latter
once more said words that were twice bitter.
“’Karna said, “Listen with devoted attention to this, O ruler of the

Madras, that was heard by me while it was recited in the presence
of Dhritarashtra. In Dhritarashtra’s abode the brahmanas used to
narrate the accounts of diverse delightful regions and many kings
of ancient times. A foremost one among brahmanas, venerable in
years while reciting old histories, said these words, blaming the
Vahikas and Madrakas, ‘One should always avoid the Vahikas,
those impure people that are out of the pale of virtue, and that live
away from the Himavat and the Ganga and Sarasvati and Yamuna
and Kurukshetra and the Sindhu and its five tributary rivers. I
remember from the days of my youth that a slaughter-ground for
kine and a space for storing intoxicating spirits always distinguish
the entrances of the abodes of the (Vahika) kings. On some very
secret mission I had to live among the Vahikas. In consequence of
such residence the conduct of these people is well known to me.
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There is a town of the name of Sakala, a river of the name of

Apaga, and a clan of the Vahikas known by the name of the
Jarttikas. The practices of these people are very censurable. They
drink the liquor called Gauda, and eat fried barley with it. They
also eat beef with garlic. They also eat cakes of flour mixed with
meat, and boiled rice that is bought from others. Of righteous
practices they have none. Their women, intoxicated with drink
and divested of robes, laugh and dance outside the walls of the
houses in cities, without garlands and unguents, singing while
drunk obscene songs of diverse kinds that are as musical as the
bray of the ass or the bleat of the camel. In intercourse they are
absolutely without any restraint, and in all other matters they act
as they like. Maddened with drink, they call upon one another,
using many endearing epithets. Addressing many drunken
exclamations to their husbands and lords, the fallen women
among the Vahikas, without observing restrictions even on sacred
days, give themselves up to dancing. One of those wicked
Vahikas,--one that is, that lived amongst those arrogant women,--
who happened to live for some days in Kurujangala, burst out
with cheerless heart, saying, “Alas, that (Vahika) maiden of large
proportions, dressed in thin blankets, is thinking of me,--her
Vahika lover—that is now passing his days in Kurujangala, at the
hour of her going to bed.” Crossing the Sutlej and the delightful
Iravati, and arriving at my own country, when shall I cast my eyes
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upon those beautiful women with thick frontal bones, with blazing
circlets of red arsenic on their foreheads, with streaks of jet black
collyrium on their eyes, and their beautiful forms attired in
blankets and skins and themselves uttering shrill cries! When shall
I be happy, in the company of those intoxicated ladies amid the
music of drums and kettle-drums and conchs sweet as the cries of
asses and camels and mules! When shall I be amongst those
ladies eating cakes of flour and meat and balls of pounded barley
mixed with skimmed milk, in the forests, having many pleasant
paths of Sami and Pilu and Karira! When shall I, amid my own
countrymen, mustering in strength on the high-roads, fall upon
passengers, and snatching their robes and attires beat them
repeatedly! What man is there that would willingly dwell, even
for a moment amongst the Vahikas that are so fallen and wicked,
and so depraved in their practises?’ Even thus did that brahmana
describe the Vahikas of base behaviour, a sixth of whose merits
and demerits is thine, O Shalya. Having said this, that pious
brahmana began once more to say what I am about to repeat
respecting the wicked Vahikas. Listen to what I say, ‘In the large
and populous town of Sakala, a Rakshasa woman used to sing on
every fourteenth day of the dark fortnight, in accompaniment with
a drum, “When shall I next sing the songs of the Vahikas in this
Sakala town, having gorged myself with beef and drunk the
Gauda liquor? When shall I again, decked in ornaments, and with
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those maidens and ladies of large proportions, gorge upon a large

number of sheep and large quantities of pork and beef and the
meat of fowls and asses and camels? They who do not eat sheep
live in vain!”’ Even thus, O Shalya, the young and old, among the
inhabitants of Sakala, intoxicated with spirits, sing and cry. How
can virtue be met with among such a people? Thou shouldst know
this. I must, however, speak again to thee about what another
brahmana had said unto us in the Kuru court, ‘There where forests
of Pilus stand, and those five rivers flow, viz., the Satadru, the
Vipasa, the Iravati, the Candrabhaga, and the Vitasa and which
have the Sindhu for their sixth, there in those regions removed
from the Himavat, are the countries called by the name of the
Arattas. Those regions are without virtue and religion. No one
should go thither. The gods, the pitris, and the brahmanas, never
accept gifts from those that are fallen, or those that are begotten
by Shudras on the girls of other castes, or the Vahikas who never
perform sacrifices and are exceedingly irreligious.’ That learned
brahmana had also said in the Kuru court, ‘The Vahikas, without
any feelings of revulsion, eat of wooden vessels having deep
stomachs and earthen plates and vessels that have been licked by
dogs and that are stained with pounded barley and other corn. The
Vahikas drink the milk of sheep and camels and asses and eat
curds and other preparations from those different kinds of milk.
Those degraded people number many bastards among them. There
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is no food and no milk that they do not take. The Aratta-Vahikas

that are steeped in ignorance, should be avoided.’ Thou shouldst
know this, O Shalya. I must, however, again speak to thee about
what another brahmana had said unto me in the Kuru court, ‘How
can one go to heaven, having drunk milk in the town called
Yugandhara, and resided in the place called Acyutasthala, and
bathed in the spot called Bhutilaya? There where the five rivers
flow just after issuing from the mountains, there among the
Aratta-Vahikas, no respectable person should dwell even for two
days. There are two Pishacas named Vahi and Hika in the river
Vipasa. The Vahikas are the offspring of those two Pishacas.
They are not creatures created by the Creator. Being of such low
origin, how can they be conversant with the duties ordained in the
scriptures? The Karashakas, the Mahishakas, the Kalingas, the
Keralas, the Karkotakas, the Virakas, and other peoples of no
religion, one should always avoid.’ Even thus did a Rakshasa
woman of gigantic hips speak unto a brahmana who on a certain
occasion went to that country for bathing in a sacred water and
passed a single night there. The regions are called by the name of
Arattas. The people residing there are called the Vahikas. The
lowest of brahmanas also are residing there from very remote
times. They are without the Veda and without knowledge,
without sacrifice and without the power to assist at other’s
sacrifices. They are all fallen and many amongst them have been
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begotten by Shudras upon other peoples’ girls. The gods never

accept any gifts from them. The Prasthalas, the Madras, the
Gandharas, the Arattas, those called Khasas, the Vasatis, the
Sindhus and the Sauviras are almost as blamable in their
practices.’”
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“’Karna continued, “Thou shouldst know all this, O Shalya. I shall

however, again speak unto thee. Listen with close attention to
what I say. Once on a time a brahmana came to our house as a
guest. Observing our practices he became highly gratified and said
unto us, ‘I dwelt for a long time on a peak of the Himavat quite
alone. Since then I have seen diverse countries following diverse
religions. Never, however, have I seen all the people of a country
act unrighteously. All the races I have met will admit that to be
true religion which has been declared by persons conversant with
the Vedas. Travelling through various countries following various
religions, I at last, O king, came among the Vahikas. There I
heard that one at first becomes a brahmana and then he becomes a
kshatriya. Indeed, a Vahika would, after that, become a Vaishya,
and then a Shudra, and then a barber. Having become a barber, he
would then again become a brahmana. Returning to the status of a
brahmana, he would again become a slave. One person in a family
becomes a brahmana: all the others, falling off from virtue, act as
they like. The Gandharas, the Madrakas, and the Vahikas of little
understanding are even such. Having travelled through the whole
world I heard of these practices, destructive of virtue, of these
sinful irregularities amongst the Vahikas.’ Thou shouldst know all
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this, O Shalya. I shall, however, again speak to thee about those

ugly words that another said unto me regarding the Vahikas. In
former days a chaste woman was abducted by robbers (hailing)
from Aratta. Sinfully was she violated by them, upon which she
cursed them, saying, ‘Since ye have sinfully violated a helpless
girl who am not without a husband, therefore, the women of your
families shall all become unchaste. Ye lowest of men, never shall
ye escape from the consequences of this dreadful sin.’ It is for
this, O Shalya, that the sisters’ sons of the Arattas, and not their
own sons, become their heirs. The Kauravas with the Pancalas, the
Salwas, the Matsyas, the Naimishas, the Koshalas, the
Kasapaundras, the Kalingas, the Magadhas, and the Cedis who are
all highly blessed, know what the eternal religion is. The wicked
even of these various countries know what religion is. The
Vahikas, however, live without righteousness. Beginning with the
Matsyas, the residents of the Kuru and the Pancala countries, the
Naimishas as well and the other respectable peoples, the pious
among all races are conversant with the eternal truths of religion.
This cannot be said of the Madrakas and the crooked-hearted race
that resides in the country of the five rivers. Knowing all these
things, O king, hold thy tongue, O Shalya, like one deprived of
utterance, in all matters connected with religion and virtue. Thou
art the protector and king of that people, and, therefore, the
partaker of sixth part of their merits and demerits. Or perhaps,
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thou art the partaker of a sixth part of their demerits only, for thou
never protectest them. A king that protects is a sharer in the merits
of his subjects. Thou art not a sharer in their merits. In days of
yore, when the eternal religion was reverenced in all countries, the
Grandsire, observing the practices of the country of the five rivers,
cried fie on them. When even in the krita age, Brahman had
censured the practices of those fallen people of evil deeds who
were begotten by Shudras on others’ wives, what would you now
say to men in the world? Even thus did the Grandsire condemn the
practices of the country of the five waters. When all people were
observant of the duties of their respective orders, the Grandsire
had to find fault with these men. Thou shouldst know all this, O
Shalya. I shall, however, again speak to thee. A Rakshasa of the
name of Kalmashapada, while plunging in a tank, said,
‘Eleemosynation is a kshatriya’s dirt, while the non-observance of
vows is a brahmana’s dirt. The Vahikas are the dirt of the Earth,
and the Madra women are the dirt of the whole female sex. While
sinking in the stream, a king rescued the Rakshasa. Asked by the
former, the latter gave this answer. I will recite it to you. Listen to
me. ‘The mlecchas are the dirt of mankind: the oilmen are the dirt
of the Mlecchas; eunuchs are the dirt of oilmen; they who avail of
the priestly ministrations of Kshatriyas, in their sacrifices, are the
dirt of eunuchs. The sin of those again that have the last-named
persons for their priests, of also of the Madrakas, shall be thine if
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thou do not abandon me.’ Even this was declared by the Rakshasa
to be the formula that should be used for curing a person
possessed by a Rakshasa or one killed by the energy of a poison.
The words that follow are all very true. The Pancalas observe the
duties enjoined in the Vedas; the Kauravas observe truth; the
Matsyas and the Surasenas perform sacrifices, the Easterners
follow the practices of the Shudras; the Southerners are fallen; the
Vahikas are thieves; the Saurashtras are bastards. They that are
defiled by ingratitude, theft, drunkenness, adultery with the wives
of their preceptors, harshness of speech, slaughter of kine, lustful
wanderings during the night out of home, and the wearing of other
people’s ornaments,--what sin is there that they do not incur? Fie
on the Arattas and the people of the country of the five rivers!
Commencing with the Pancalas, the Kauravas, the Naimishas, the
Matsyas,--all these,--know what religion is. The old men among
the Northerners, the Angas, the Magadhas, (without themselves
knowing what virtue is) follow the practices of the pious. Many
gods, headed by Agni, dwell in the East. The pitris dwell in the
South that is presided over by Yama of righteous deeds. The West
is protected by the mighty Varuna who overlooks the other gods
there. The north is protected by the divine Soma along with the
Brahmanas. So Rakshasas and Pishacas protect the Himavat, the
best of mountains. The Guhyakas, O great king, protect the
mountains of Gandhamadana. Without doubt, Vishnu, otherwise,
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called Janardana, protects all creatures. (For all that the Vahikas
have no especial protectors among the gods). The Magadhas are
comprehenders of signs; the Koshalas comprehend from what
they see; the Kurus and the Pancalas comprehend from a half-
uttered speech; the Salwas cannot comprehend till the whole
speech is uttered. The Mountaineers, like the Sivis, are very
stupid. The Yavanas, O king, are omniscient; the Suras are
particularly so. The mlecchas are wedded to the creations of their
own fancy. Other peoples cannot understand. The Vahikas resent
beneficial counsels; as regards the Madrakas there are none
amongst those (mentioned above.) Thou, O Shalya, art so. Thou
shouldst not reply to me. The Madrakas are regarded on Earth as
the dirt of every nation. So the Madra woman is called the dirt of
the whole female sex. They that have for their practices the
drinking of spirits, the violation of the beds of their preceptors, the
destruction of the embryo by procuring miscarriage, and the
robbing of other people’s wealth, there is no sin that they have
not. Fie on the Arattas and the people of the country of the five
rivers. Knowing this, be silent. Do not seek to oppose me. Do not
let me slay Keshava and Arjuna, having slain thee first.’”
“’Shalya said, “The abandonment of the afflicted and the sale of

wives and children are, O Karna, prevalent amongst the Angas
whose king thou art. Recollecting those faults of thine that
Bhishma recited on the occasion of the tale of Rathas and
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Atirathas, drive away thy wrath. Do not be angry. Brahmanas may

be found everywhere; Kshatriyas may be found everywhere; so
also Vaishyas and Shudras, O Karna, women of chastity and
excellent vows may also be found everywhere. Everywhere men
take delight in jesting with men and wounding one another.
Lustful men also may be found everywhere. Everyone on every
occasion can command skill in speaking of the faults of others. No
one, however, knows his own faults, or knowing them, feels
shame. Everywhere are kings devoted to their respective religions,
and employed in chastising the wicked. Everywhere may be found
virtuous men. It cannot be, O Karna, that all the people of a
country are sinful. There are men in many countries that surpass
the very gods by their behaviour.’”
“Sanjaya continued, ‘Then king Duryodhana stopped Karna and

Shalya (from going on with their wordy warfare), addressing the
son of Radha as a friend, and beseeching Shalya with joined
hands, Karna, O sire, was quieted by thy son and forbore saying
anything more. Shalya also then faced the enemy. Then Radha’s
son, smiling, once more urged Shalya, saying, “Proceed.”’”
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“Sanjaya said, ‘Beholding then that unrivalled array of the Parthas

made by Dhrishtadyumna which was capable of resisting all
hostile armies, Karna proceeded, uttering leonine shouts and
causing his car to produce a loud rattle. And he made the Earth to
tremble with the loud din of musical instruments. And that
chastiser of foes, that hero in battle, seemed to tremble in rage.
Duly disposing his own troops in counter-array, O bull of
Bharata’s race, that hero of great energy made a great slaughter of
the Pandava forces like Maghavat slaughtering the Asura host.
Striking Yudhishthira then with many arrows, he placed the eldest
son of Pandu to his right.’
“Dhritarashtra said, ‘How, O Sanjaya, did the son of Radha

dispose his forces in counter array to all the Pandavas headed by
Dhristadyumna and protected by Bhimasena, viz., all those great
bowmen invincible by the very gods? Who, O Sanjaya, stood in
the wings and the further wings of our army? Dividing themselves
properly, how were the warriors stationed? How also did the sons
of Pandu dispose their army in counter-array to mine? How also
did that great and awful battle commence? Where was Vibhatsu
when Karna proceeded against Yudhishthira? Who could succeed
in assailing Yudhishthira in the presence of Arjuna? That Arjuna
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who had vanquished, single-handed in former days, all creatures

at Khandava, who else that is desirous of life, save the son of
Radha, would fight with him?’
“Sanjaya said, ‘Hear now of the formation of the arrays, the

manner in which Arjuna came and how the battle was fought by
both sides surrounding their respective kings. Sharadvata’s son
Kripa, O king, and the Magadhas endued with great activity, and
Kritavarma of Satwata race, took up their position in the right
wing. Shakuni, and the mighty car-warrior Uluka, standing on the
right of these, and accompanied by many fearless Gandhara
horsemen armed with bright lances, and many mountaineers
difficult to defeat, numerous as flights of locusts, and grimlooking
as Pishacas, protected the (Kaurava) army. 34,000 unreturning
cars of the samsaptakas, mad with desire of battle, with thy sons
in their midst, and all desirous of slaying Krishna and Arjuna,
protected the left side (of the Kaurava army). On their left, the
Kambojas, the Sakas, and the Yavanas, with cars and horse and
foot, at the command of the Suta’s son, stood, challenging Arjuna
and the mighty Keshava. In the centre, at the head of that host,
stood Karna, clad in armour with beautiful coat of mail and
adorned with Angadas and garlands, for protecting that point.
Supported by his own angry sons, that foremost of all wielders of
weapons, that hero, shone resplendent at the head of the army as
he drew his bow repeatedly. The mighty-armed Duhshasana,
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possessed of the effulgence of the sun or fire with tawny eyes and
handsome features, riding on the neck of a huge elephant,
surrounded by many troops, and stationed at the rear of the army
gradually approached for fight. Behind him came Duryodhana
himself, O monarch, protected by his uterine brothers riding on
beautiful steeds and cased in beautiful mail. Protected by the
united Madrakas and the Kekayas of exceeding energy, the king,
O monarch, looked resplendent like Indra of a hundred sacrifices
when surrounded by the celestials. Ashvatthama and the other
foremost of mighty car-warriors, and many ever-infuriate
elephants shedding temporal secretions like the very clouds and
ridden by brave Mlecchas, followed behind that car-force.
Decked with triumphal standards and blazing weapons, those huge
creatures, ridden by warriors skilled in fighting from their backs,
looked beautiful like hills overgrown with trees. Many thousands
of brave and unreturning warriors, armed with axes and swords,
became the footguards of those elephants. Gorgeously decked
with horsemen and car-warriors and elephants, that foremost of
arrays looked exceedingly beautiful like the array of the celestials
or of the Asuras. That great array, formed according to the scheme
of Brihaspati by its commander, well-versed in ways of battle,
seemed to dance (as it advanced) and struck terror into the hearts
of foes. Like ever-appearing clouds in the season of rains, foot-
soldiers and horsemen and car-warriors and elephants, longing for
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battle began to issue from the wings and further wings of that
array. Then king Yudhishthira, beholding Karna at the head of the
(hostile) army, addressed Dhananjaya, that slayer of foes, that one
hero in the world, and said these words, “Behold, O Arjuna, the
mighty array formed by Karna in battle. The hostile force looks
resplendent with its wings and further wings. At sight of this vast
hostile force, let such measures be adopted that it may not
vanquish us.’ Thus addressed by the king, Arjuna replied with
joined hands, ‘Everything will be done as thou sayest. Nothing
will be otherwise. I will, O Bharata, do that by which the
destruction of the enemy may be compassed. By slaying their
foremost of warriors, I will achieve their destruction.”
“’Yudhishthira said, “With that view, do thou proceed against the

son of Radha, and let Bhimasena proceed against Suyodhana,
Nakula against Virshasena, Sahadeva against the son of Subala,
Satanika against Duhshasana, that bull amongst the Sinis, viz.,
Satyaki, against the son of Hridika, and Pandya against the son of
Drona. I myself will fight with Kripa. Let the sons of Draupadi
with Shikhandi amongst them, proceed against the rest of the
Dhartarashtras. Let the other warriors of our army encounter our
other foes.’”
“Sanjaya continued, ‘Thus addressed by Yudhishthira the just,

Dhananjaya saying, “So be it,” ordered his troops (to do the
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needful) and himself proceeded to the head of the army. That car
for which the Leader of the universe, viz., Agni, who derives his
effulgence from Brahman, became the steeds, that car which was
known amongst the gods as belonging to Brahman because it
sprang first from Brahman himself, that car which in days of old
had successively borne Brahman and Ishana and Indra and Varuna
one after another, riding on that primeval car, Keshava and Arjuna
now proceeded to battle. Beholding that advancing car of
wonderful aspect, Shalya once more said unto Adhiratha’s son,
that warrior of great energy in battle, these words “Yonder comes
that car having white steeds yoked unto it and owning Krishna for
its driver, that vehicle incapable of being resisted by all the troops,
like the inevitable fruit of work. There comes the son of Kunti,
slaughtering his foes along the way,--he, that is, about whom thou
hadst been enquiring. Since tremendous is the uproar that is being
heard, deep as the roar of the clouds, it is, without doubt, those
high-souled ones, viz., Vasudeva and Dhananjaya. Yonder
ascends a cloud of dust that overspreads the welkin like a canopy.
The whole Earth, O Karna, seems to tremble, cut deep by the
circumference of Arjuna’s wheels. These violent winds are
blowing on both sides of thy army. These carnivorous creatures
are yelling aloud and these animals are uttering fearful cries.
Behold, O Karna, the terrible and portentous Ketu of vapoury
form, making the hair to stand on end, hath appeared, covering the
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Sun. Behold, diverse kinds of animals, all around in large packs,

and many mighty wolves and tigers are looking at the Sun. Behold
those terrible Kankas and those vultures, assembled together in
thousands, sitting with faces towards one another, in seeming
discourse. Those coloured yak-tails attached to thy great car are
waving unquietly. Thy standard also is trembling. Behold these
thy beautiful steeds, of huge limbs and great speed resembling that
of soaring birds, are also quivering. From these portents, it is
certain that kings, in hundreds and thousands, O Karna, deprived
of life, will lie down on the ground for eternal sleep. The loud
uproar of conchs, making the hair to stand on end, is being heard.
The sound also of drums and cymbals, O son of Radha, is being
heard on all sides, as also the whizz of diverse kinds of arrows,
and the din made by cars and steeds and men. Listen also, O
Karna, to the loud twang produced by the bow-strings of high-
souled warriors. Behold, O Karna, those banners of Arjuna, that
are equipped with rows of bells, and decked with golden moons
and stars. Made by skilful artists out of cloths embroidered with
gold and of diverse hues, they are blazing with resplendence on
Arjuna’s car as they are shaken by the wind, like flashes of
lightning in a mass of clouds. Behold those (other) banners
producing sharp sounds as they wave in the air. Those car-
warriors of the high-souled Pancalas, with flag-decked standards
on their vehicles, are looking resplendent, O Karna, like the very
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gods on their celestial cars. Behold the heroic son of Kunti, the
unvanquished Vibhatsu (Arjuna) with that foremost of apes on his
standard, advancing for the destruction of the foe. There, on the
top of Partha’s standard, is to be seen that terrible ape, that
enhancer of the fears of foes, attracting the gaze (of warriors)
from every side. The discus, the mace, the bow called Saranga and
the conch (called Panchajanya) of the intelligent Krishna, as also
his gem Kaustubha, look exceedingly beautiful in him. The
wielder of Saranga and the mace, viz., Vasudeva, of great energy,
cometh, urging those white steeds endued with the fleetness of the
wind. Yonder twangs Gandiva, drawn by Savyasaci. Those
whetted shafts, sped by that strong-armed hero, are destroying his
enemies. The Earth is strewn with the heads of unretreating kings,
with faces beautiful as the moon at full, and decked with large and
expansive eyes of coppery hue. There the arms, looking like
spiked maces, with weapons in grasp, and smeared with excellent
perfumes, of warriors delighting in battle and contending with
uplifted weapons, are falling. Steeds with eyes, tongues, and
entrails drawn out along with their riders, are falling and fallen
and deprived of life lie prostrate on the Earth. Those lifeless
elephants huge as mountain summits, torn, mangled, and pierced
by Partha, are falling down like veritable hills. Those cars, looking
like the changeful forms of vapour in the sky, with their royal
riders slain, are falling down like the celestial cars of the denizens
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of heaven upon the exhaustion of the latter’s merits. Behold, the

army is exceedingly agitated by the diadem-decked Arjuna, like
herds of countless cattle by a maned lion. There the Pandava
heroes, advancing for the attack, are slaying kings and large
numbers of elephants and steeds and car-warriors and foot-
soldiers of thy army engaged in battle. There Partha, shrouded (by
friends and foes and weapons and dust) is not to be seen, like the
Sun shrouded by clouds. Only the top of his standard may be seen
and the twang of his bow-string may be heard. Thou art sure, O
Karna, to behold today that hero of white steed with Krishna for
his driver, engaged in slaughtering his foes in battle. Thou art sure
of beholding him about whom thou hadst been enquiring. Today,
O Karna, thou art sure to behold those two tigers among men,
both of red eyes, both chastisers of foes, viz., Vasudeva and
Arjuna, stationed on the same car. If, O son of Radha, thou
succeedest in slaying him that hath Keshava for his driver and
Gandiva for his bow, then thou shalt be our king. Challenged by
the samsaptakas, Partha now proceedeth against them. That
mighty warrior is engaged in making a great slaughter of his foes
in battle.” Unto the ruler of the Madras who was saying so, Karna,
in rage, said, “Behold, Partha is assailed on all sides by the angry
samsaptakas. Like the Sun shrouded by the clouds, Partha is no
longer visible.
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Plunged, into that ocean of warriors, O Shalya, Arjuna is sure to

perish.”
“’Shalya said, “Who is there that would slay Varuna with water,
or quench fire with fuel? Who is there that would seize the wind,
or drink off the ocean? I regard thy act of afflicting Partha to be
even such. Arjuna is incapable of being vanquished in battle by
the very gods and the Asuras united together and having Indra
himself at their head. Or, suffer thyself to be gratified, and be of
easy mind, having said those words (about thy capacity to slay
Partha) Partha cannot be conquered in battle. Accomplish some
other purpose thou mayst have in thy mind. He that would uplift
this Earth on his two arms, or burn all creatures in wrath, or hurl
the gods from heaven, may vanquish Arjuna in battle. Behold that
other heroic son of Kunti, viz., Bhima, who is never fatigued with
exertion, blazing with resplendence, mighty-armed, and standing
like another Meru. With wrath ever kindled and longing for
revenge, Bhima of great energy stands there desirous of victory in
battle, and remembering all his injuries. There that foremost of
virtuous men, viz., king Yudhishthira the just, that subjugator of
hostile towns, stands difficult of being resisted by foes in battle.
There stand those two tigers among men, the twin Ashvinis, the
two uterine brothers Nakula and Sahadeva, both invincible in
battle. Yonder may be seen the five sons of Krishna, that have the
features of Pancala princes. All of them, equal to Arjuna in battle,
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are standing, desirous of fight. There the sons of Drupada, headed

by Dhristadyumna, swelling with pride and energy,--heroes
endued with great energy,--have taken up their stand. There, that
foremost one among the Satwatas, viz., Satyaki, irresistible like
Indra, advanceth against us, from desire of fight, like the destroyer
himself in wrath before our eyes.” While those two lions among
men were thus addressing each other, the two armies mingled
fiercely in battle, like the currents of the Ganga and Yamuna.’”
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“Dhritarashtra said, ‘When the two armies, duly arrayed, thus

mingled with each other for battle, O Sanjaya, how did Partha
assail the samsaptakas, and how Karna assail the Pandavas? Tell
me the incidents of the battle in detail, for thou art skilled in
narration. Listening to the accounts of the prowess of heroes in
battle, I am never satiated.’
“Sanjaya said, ‘Observing the vast hostile force stationed in that

manner, Arjuna arrayed his troops in proper form, in consequence
of the evil policy of thy son. The vast Pandava force then, teeming
with horsemen and elephants and foot-soldiers and cars, and
headed by Dhrishtadyumna, looked exceedingly magnificent.
With his steeds white as pigeons, the son of Prishata, equal in
splendour to the Sun or the Moon, armed with bow, looked
resplendent like Death himself in embodied form. The sons of
Draupadi, desirous of battle, stood by the side of the son of
Prishata. They were clad in excellent coats of mail, and armed
with excellent weapons, and all of them were endued with the
prowess of tigers. Possessed of effulgent bodies, they followed
their maternal uncle like the stars appearing with the Moon.
Beholding the samsaptakas standing in array, Arjuna, with wrath
excited, rushed against them, drawing his bow Gandiva. The
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samsaptakas then, desirous of slaying Arjuna, rushed against

Partha, firmly resolved on victory, and making death their goal.
That brave host of heroes, teeming with men, steeds, infuriate
elephants, and cars, began very quickly to afflict Arjuna. Their
encounter with Kiritin (Arjuna) became exceedingly furious. That
encounter resembled the one that took place between Arjuna and
the Nivatakavachas, as we have heard. Partha cut off cars and
steeds and standards and elephants and foot-soldiers engaged in
fight, with shafts and bows and swords and discs and battle axes,
and uplifted arms with weapons in grasp, and the heads also of
foes, by thousands upon thousands. The samsaptakas, regarding
the car of Partha sunk in that deep vortex of warriors, uttered loud
roars. Partha, however, slaying all his foes in front, slew those that
stood further off, and then those that were on his right and his
back, like Rudra himself in rage slaughtering all created things
endued with life. The encounter that took place when the
Pancalas, the Cedis, and the Srinjayas faced thy troops was
exceedingly fierce. Kripa and Kritavarma, and Shakuni the son of
Subala, those heroes difficult of defeat in battle, accompanied by
troops that were all cheerful, themselves filled with rage, and
capable of smiting down thick ranks of cars, fought with the
Koshalas, the Kasis, the Matsyas, the Karusas, the Kaikayas, and
the Surasenas, all of whom were possessed of great courage. That
battle fraught with great slaughter and destructive of body, life
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and sins, became conducive to fame, heaven, and virtue, in respect

of the Kshatriya, the Vaishya, and the Shudra heroes that were
engaged in it. Meanwhile the Kuru king Duryodhana with his
brothers, O bull of Bharata’s race, and supported by many Kuru
heroes and many mighty Madraka car-warriors, protected Karna
while the latter was engaged in battle with the Pandavas, the
Pancalas, the Cedis, and Satyaki. Destroying that vast division
with his sharp arrows, and crushing many foremost of car-
warriors Karna succeeded in afflicting Yudhishthira. Cutting off
the armour, the weapons, and the bodies of thousands of foes and
slaying his foes by thousands and sending them to heaven and
making them earn great fame, Karna caused his friends great joy.
Thus, O sire, that battle destructive of men, steeds, and cars,
between the Kurus and the Srinjayas, resembled the battle
between the gods and the Asuras of old.’”
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“Dhritarashtra said, ‘Tell me, O Sanjaya, how Karna, having

caused a great slaughter penetrated into the midst of the Pandava
troops, and struck and afflicted king Yudhishthira. Who were
those foremost of heroes among the Parthas that resisted Karna?
Who were they whom Karna crushed before he could succeed in
afflicting Yudhishthira?’
“Sanjaya said, ‘Beholding the Parthas headed by Dhrishtadyumna

stationed for battle, that crusher of foes, viz., Karna, rushed
impetuously against the Pancalas. Like swans rushing towards the
sea, the Pancalas, longing for victory, rushed as quickly against
that high-souled warrior advancing to the encounter. Then the
blare of thousands of conchs, as if piercing the heart by its
shrillness, arose from both hosts, and the fierce peal also of
thousands of drums. The sound also of diverse musical
instruments and the noise made by elephants and steeds and cars,
and the leonine shouts of heroes, that arose there, became
exceedingly awful. It seemed that the whole Earth with her
mountains and trees and oceans, the entire welkin covered with
wind-tossed clouds, and the whole firmament with the Sun, the
Moon, and the stars, trembled with that sound. All creatures
regarded that noise to be even such and became agitated. Those
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amongst them that were endued with little strength fell dead. Then
Karna, excited with great wrath, quickly invoking his weapons,
began to smite the Pandava army like Maghavat smiting the army
of the Asuras. Penetrating then into the Pandava host and shooting
his arrows, Karna slew seven and seventy foremost of warriors
among the Prabhadrakas. Then that foremost of car-warriors, with
five and twenty sharp shafts equipped with goodly wings, slew
five and twenty Pancalas. With many cloth-yard shafts equipped
with wings of gold and capable of piercing the bodies of all foes,
that hero slew the Cedis by hundreds and thousands. While he was
employed in achieving those superhuman feats in battle, large
throngs of Pancala cars, O king, quickly surrounded him on all
sides. Aiming then, O Bharata, five irresistible shafts, Karna,
otherwise called Vaikartana or Vrisha, slew five Pancala warriors.
The five Pancalas, O Bharata, that he slew in that battle were
Bhanudeva and Citrasena and Senavindu and Tapana and
Surasena. While the Pancala heroes were thus being slaughtered
with arrows in that great battle, loud cries of “Oh” and “Alas”
arose from among the Pancala host. Then ten car-warriors among
the Pancalas, O monarch, surrounded Karna. Them, too, Karna
speedily slew with his shafts. The two protectors of Karna’s car
wheels, viz., his two invincible sons, O sire, that were named
Sushena and Satyasena, began to fight, reckless of their very lives.
The eldest son of Karna, viz., the mighty car-warrior Vrishasena,
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himself protected his father’s rear. Then Dhrishtadyumna,

Satyaki, and the five sons of Draupadi, and Vrikodara,
Janamejaya, and Shikhandi, and many foremost warriors among
the Prabhadrakas, and many amongst the Cedis, the Kaikayas, and
the Pancalas, the twins (Nakula and Sahadeva), and the Matsyas,
all clad in mail, rushed fiercely upon Radha’s son, skilled in
smiting, from desire of slaying him. Pouring upon him diverse
kinds of weapons and thick showers of arrows, they began to
afflict him like the clouds afflicting the mountain breast in the
season of rains. Desirous of rescuing their father, the sons of
Karna, all of whom were effectual smiters, and many other heroes,
O king, of thy army, resisted those (Pandava) heroes. Sushena,
cutting off with a broad-headed arrow the bow of Bhimasena,
pierced Bhima himself with seven cloth-yard shafts in the chest,
and uttered a loud roar. Then Vrikodara of terrible prowess, taking
up another tough bow and stringing it quickly, cut off Sushena’s
bow. Excited with rage and as if dancing (on his car), he quickly
pierced Sushena himself with ten arrows, and then pierced Karna,
within the twinkling of an eye, with seventy sharp shafts. With ten
other shafts, Bhima then felled Bhanusena, another son of Karna,
with his steeds, driver, weapons, and standard, in the very sight of
the latter’s friends. The sightly head of that youth, graced with a
face as beautiful as the Moon, cut off with a razor-headed arrow,
looked like a lotus plucked from its stalk. Having slain Karna’s
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son, Bhima began to afflict thy troops once more. Cutting off the
bows then of Kripa and Hridika’s son, he began to afflict those
two also. Piercing Duhshasana with three arrows made wholly of
iron, and Shakuni with six, he deprived both Uluka and his brother
Patatri of their cars. Addressing Sushena next in these words, viz.,
“Thou art slain.” Bhima took up an arrow. Karna, however, cut off
that arrow and struck Bhima himself with three shafts. Then
Bhima took up another straight arrow of great impetuosity and
sped it at Sushena. But Vrisha cut that arrow also. Then Karna,
desirous of rescuing his son, and wishing to make an end of the
cruel Bhimasena, struck the latter with three and seventy fierce
arrows. Then Sushena taking up an excellent bow capable of
bearing a great strain, pierced Nakula with five arrows in the arms
and the chest. Nakula, then piercing his antagonist with twenty
strong shafts capable of bearing a great strain, uttered a loud roar
and inspired Karna with fright. The mighty car-warrior Sushena,
however, O king, piercing Nakula with ten shafts, quickly cut off
the latter’s bow with a razor-headed arrow. Then Nakula,
insensate with rage, took up another bow, and resisted Sushena in
that battle with nine shafts. That slayer of hostile heroes, O king,
shrouding all the quarters with showers of arrows, slew Sushena’s
driver, and piercing Sushena himself again with three shafts, and
then with three other broad-headed arrows, cut off his bow of
great strength into three fragments. Sushena also, deprived of his
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senses in rage, took up another bow and pierced Nakula with sixty
arrows and Sahadeva with seven. The battle raged fiercely, like
that of the gods and the Asuras between those heroes striking one
another. Satyaki, slaying the driver of Vrishasena with three
arrows, cut off the latter’s bow with a broad-headed shaft and
struck his steeds with seven arrows. Crushing his standard then
with another arrow, he struck Vrishasena himself with three
arrows in the chest. Thus struck, Vrishasena became senseless on
his car, but within the twinkling of an eye, stood up again.
Deprived of his driver and steeds and car standard by Yuyudhana
(Satyaki), Vrishasena then, armed with sword and shield, rushed
against Yuyudhana from desire of slaying him. Satyaki, however,
as his antagonist rushed towards him, struck at his sword and
shield with ten arrows equipped with heads like a boar’s ear. Then
Duhshasana, beholding Vrishasena made carless and weaponless,
quickly caused him to ascend his own car, and bearing him away
from the spot, caused him to ride another vehicle. The mighty car-
warrior Vrishasena then, riding on another vehicle, pierced the
five sons of Draupadi with seventy and Yuyudhana with five, and
Bhimasena with four and sixty, and Sahadeva with five, and
Nakula with thirty, and Satanika with seven arrows, and
Shikhandi with ten, and king Yudhishthira with a hundred. These
and many other foremost of heroes, O king, all inspired with
desire of victory that great bowman, viz., the son of Karna, O
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monarch, continued to afflict with his shafts. Then, in that battle,

the invincible Vrishasena continued to protect the rear of Karna.
The grandson of Sini, having made Duhshasana driverless and
steedless and carless by means of nine times nine arrows made
wholly of iron, struck Duhshasana with ten shafts in the forehead.
The Kuru prince then, riding on another car that was duly
equipped (with all necessary implements), once more began to
fight with the Pandavas, from within the division of Karna. Then
Dhristadyumna pierced Karna with ten arrows, and the sons of
Draupadi pierced him with three and seventy, and Yuyudhana
with seven. And Bhimasena pierced him with four and sixty
arrows, and Sahadeva with seven. And Nakula pierced him with
thirty arrows, and Satanika with seven. And the heroic Shikhandi
pierced him with ten and king Yudhishthira with a hundred. These
and other foremost of men, O monarch, all inspired with desire of
victory, began to grind that great bowman, viz., the Suta’s son, in
that dreadful battle. That chastiser of foes, viz., the Suta’s son of
great heroism, performing quick evolutions with his car, pierced
every one of those warriors with ten arrows. We then, O king,
witnessed the lightness of hand displayed by the high-souled
Karna and the power of his weapons. Indeed, what we saw
appeared to be highly wonderful. People could not notice when he
took up his arrows, when he aimed them, and when he let them
off. They only beheld his enemies dying fast in consequence of
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his wrath. The sky, the firmament, the Earth, and all the quarters
seemed to be entirely shrouded with sharp arrows. The firmament
looked resplendent as if covered with red clouds. The valiant son
of Radha, armed with the bow, and as if dancing (on his car),
pierced each of his assailants with thrice as many arrows as each
of them had pierced him with. And once more piercing each of
them, and his steeds, driver, car, and standard with ten arrows, he
uttered a loud roar. His assailants then gave him a way (through
which he passed out). Having crushed those mighty bowmen with
showers of arrows, the son of Radha, that crusher of foes, then
penetrated, unresisted, into the midst of the division commanded
by the Pandava king. Having destroyed thirty cars of the
unreturning Cedis, the son of Radha struck Yudhishthira with
many sharp arrows. Then many Pandava warriors, O king, with
Shikhandi and Satyaki, desirous of rescuing the king from the son
of Radha, surrounded the former. Similarly all the brave and
mighty bowmen of thy army resolutely protected the irresistible
Karna in that battle. The noise of diverse musical instrument
arose then, O king, and the leonine shouts of brave warriors rent
the sky. And the Kurus and the Pandavas once more fearlessly
encountered each other, the former headed by the Suta’s son and
the latter by Yudhishthira.’”
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“Sanjaya said, ‘Piercing through the Pandava host, Karna,

surrounded by thousands of cars and elephants and steeds and
foot-soldiers, rushed towards king Yudhishthira the just. Cutting
off with hundreds of fierce shafts the thousands of weapons sped
at him by his foes, Vrisha fearlessly pierced through that host.
Indeed, the Suta’s son cut off the heads, the arms and the thighs of
his enemies, who, deprived of life, fell down on the Earth. Others,
finding their divisions broken, fled away. The Dravida, the
Andhaka, and the Nishada foot-soldiers, urged on by Satyaki,
once more rushed towards Karna in that battle, from desire of
slaying him. Deprived of arms and head-gears, and slain by Karna
with his shafts, they fell down simultaneously on the Earth, like a
forest of Sala tree cut down (with the axe). Thus hundreds,
thousands and ten thousands of combatants, deprived of life and
filling the whole welkin with their fame, fell down with their
bodies on the Earth. The Pandus and the Pancalas obstructed
Karna, otherwise called Vaikartana, who careered wrathfully in
battle like the Destroyer himself, even as people seek to obstruct a
disease with incantations and drugs. Crushing all those assailants
Karna once more rushed towards Yudhishthira, like an irresistible
disease unchecked by incantations and drugs and (propitiatory)
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rites. At last checked by the Pandus, the Pancalas, and the

Kekayas, all of whom were desirous of rescuing the king, Karna
could not succeed in passing them over, like Death that is unable
to vanquish persons conversant with Brahma. Then Yudhishthira,
with eyes red in wrath, addressed Karna, that slayer of hostile
heroes, who was held in check at a little distance from him, and
said these words “O Karna, O Karna, O thou of vain sight, O son
of a Suta, listen to my words. Thou always challengest the active
Phalguna in battle. Obedient to the counsels of Dhritarashtra’s
son, thou always seekest to oppose us. Mustering thy great
prowess, show thou today all thy might, all thy energy, and all the
hatred thou bearest towards the sons of Pandu. Today in dreadful
encounter, I will purge thee of thy desire for battle.” Having said
these words, the son of Pandu, O king, pierced Karna with ten
shafts made entirely of iron and equipped with wings of gold.
That chastiser of foes, and great bowman, viz., the Suta’s son, O
Bharata, pierced Yudhishthira, with the greatest care, in return,
with ten arrows equipped with heads like the calf’s tooth. Thus
pierced by the Suta’s son in contempt, O sire, the mighty-armed
Yudhishthira, blazed up with wrath like a fire upon receiving
butter. Bending his formidable bow decked with gold, the son of
Pandu placed on his bow-string a whetted arrow capable of
piercing the very hills. Drawing the bow to its fullest stretch, the
king quickly sped that arrow, fatal as the rod of the Destroyer,
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from desire of slaying the Suta’s son. Sped by the king endued
with great might, that arrow whose whizz resembled the noise of
the thunder, suddenly pierced Karna, that mighty car-warrior, on
his left side. Deeply afflicted by the violence of that stroke, the
mighty-armed Karna with weakened limbs, fell into a swoon on
his car, his bow dropping from his hand. Beholding Karna in that
plight, the vast Dhartarashtra host uttered cries of “Oh” and
“Alas,” and the faces of all the combatants became colourless.
Beholding the prowess of their king, on the other hand, O
monarch, amongst the Pandavas, leonine roars and shouts and
confused cries of joy arose. The son of Radha, however, of cruel
prowess, recovering his senses soon enough, set his heart on the
destruction of Yudhishthira. Drawing his formidable bow called
Vijaya that was decked with gold, the Suta’s son of immeasurable
soul began to resist the son of Pandu with his sharp shafts. With a
couple of razor-headed arrows he slew in that encounter
Candradeva and Dandadhara, the two Pancala princes, that
protected the two car wheels of the high-souled Yudhishthira.
Each of those heroes, standing by the side of Yudhishthira’s car,
looked resplendent like the constellation Punarvasu by the side of
the moon. Yudhishthira, however, once more pierced Karna with
thirty arrows. And he struck Sushena and Satyasena, each with
three arrows. And he pierced everyone of the protectors of Karna
with three straight arrows. The son of Adhiratha then, laughing
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and shaking his bow inflicted a cutting wound on the king’s body
with a broad-headed arrow, and again pierced him with sixty
arrows and then uttered a loud shout. Then many foremost heroes
amongst the Pandavas, desirous of rescuing the king, rushed in
wrath towards Karna and began to grind him with their arrows.
Satyaki and Chekitana and Yuyutsu and Shikhandi and the sons of
Draupadi and the Prabhadrakas, and the twins (Nakula and
Sahadeva) and Bhimasena and Shishupala and the Karushas,
Matsyas, the Suras, the Kaikayas, the Kasis and the Kosalas, all
these brave heroes, endued with great activity, assailed Vasusena.
The Pancala prince Janamejaya then pierced Karna with many
arrows. The Pandava heroes, armed with diverse kinds of arrows
and diverse weapons and accompanied by cars and elephants and
steeds, rushing towards Karna, encompassed him on all sides,
from desire of slaying him. Thus assailed on all sides by the
foremost of Pandava warriors, Karna invoked into existence the
brahmastra and filled all the points of the compass with arrows.
The heroic Karna then, like unto a blazing fire having shafts for its
scorching flame, careered in battle, burning that forest of
Pandavas troops. The high-souled Karna, that great bowman,
aiming some mighty weapons, and laughing the while, cut off the
bow of that foremost of men, Yudhishthira. Then aiming ninety
straight arrows within the twinkling of an eye, Karna cut off, with
those sharp shafts, the armour of his antagonist. That armour,
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decked with gold and set with gems, looked beautiful, as it fell
down, like a wind-tossed cloud penetrated by the rays of the Sun.
Indeed, that armour, adorned with costly brilliants, fallen off from
the body of that foremost of men, looked beautiful like the
firmament in the night, bespangled with stars. His armour cut off
with those arrows, the son of Pritha, covered with blood,
wrathfully hurled at the son of Adhiratha a dart made wholly of
iron. Karna, however, cut (into pieces) that blazing dart, as it
coursed through the welkin, with seven shafts. That dart, thus cut
off with those shafts of great bowman, fell down on the Earth.
Then Yudhishthira, striking Karna with four lances in his two
arms and forehead and chest, repeatedly uttered loud shouts.
Thereupon blood spouted forth from the wounds of Karna, and the
latter, filled with rage and breathing like a snake, cut off his
antagonist’s standard and pierced the Pandava himself with three
broad-headed arrows. And he also cut off the couple of quivers
(that his foe had) and the car (he rode) into minute fragments.
Thereupon the king, riding on another car unto which were yoked
those steeds, white as ivory and having black hair on their tails,
that used to bear him (to battle), turned his face and began to fly.
Thus did Yudhishthira began to retreat. His Parshni driver had
been slain. He became exceedingly cheerless and unable to stay
before Karna. The son of Radha then, pursuing Yudhishthira, the
son of Pandu, cleansed himself by touching him in the shoulder
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with his own fair hand (the palm of which was) graced with the
auspicious signs of the thunderbolt, the umbrella, the hook, the
fish, the tortoise, and the conchshell, and desired to seize him by
force. He then remembered the words of Kunti. Then Shalya
addressed him, and said, “Do not, O Karna, seize this best of
kings. As soon as thou seizest him, he will reduce both thee and
me to ashes.” Then Karna, O king, laughing in mockery,
addressed the son of Pandu and thus spoke unto him
disparagingly. “How, indeed, born though thou art in a noble race,
and observant though thou art of Kshatriya duties, wouldst thou
leave the battle in fear, desiring to save thy life? I think that thou
art not well-acquainted with the duties of Kshatriyas. Endued with
Brahma-force, thou art indeed devoted to the study of the Vedas
and the performance of sacrificial rites. Do not, O son of Kunti,
fight again, and do not again approach brave warriors. Do not use
harsh language towards heroes and do not come to great battles.
Thou mayst use such words, O sire, towards others, but thou
shouldst never address persons like us in that way. By using such
words towards persons like us, thou wouldst in battle meet with
this and other kinds of behaviour. Go back to thy quarters, O son
of Kunti, or thither where those two, viz., Keshava and Arjuna,
are. Indeed, O king, Karna will never slay one like thee.” Having
said these words unto the son of Pritha, the mighty Karna, setting
Yudhishthira free, began to slaughter the Pandava host like the
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wielder of the thunderbolt slaughtering the Asura host. That ruler

of men, (viz., Yudhishthira,) then, O king, quickly fled away.
Beholding the king flying away, the Cedis, the Pandavas, the
Pancalas, and the mighty car-warrior Satyaki, all followed that
monarch of unfading glory. And the sons of Draupadi, and the
Suras, and the twin sons of Madri by Pandu, also followed the
king. Beholding the division of Yudhishthira retreating, the heroic
Karna became highly glad with all the Kurus and began to pursue
the retreating force. The din of battle-drums and conchs and
cymbals and bows, and leonine shouts, arose from among the
Dhartarashtra troops. Meanwhile Yudhishthira, O thou of Kuru’s
race, quickly riding on the car of Srutakirti, began to behold the
prowess of Karna. Then king Yudhishthira, the just, seeing his
troops fast slaughtered, became filled with rage, and addressing
his warriors, commanded them, saying, “Slay these enemies.
Why are ye inactive?” Then the mighty car-warriors of the
Pandavas, headed by Bhimasena, thus commanded by the king, all
rushed against thy sons. The shouts then, O Bharata, of the
warriors (of both hosts), and the noise made by cars and elephants
and steeds and foot-soldiers, and the clash of weapons, became
tremendous. “Exert,” “Strike,” “Face the foe,” were the words that
the combatants addressed to one another as they began to slay one
another in that dreadful battle. And in consequence of the showers
of shafts shot by them a shadow as that of the clouds seemed to
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spread over the field. And in consequence of those rulers of men,

covered with arrows, striking one another, they became divested
of banners and standards and umbrellas and steeds and drivers and
weapons in that battle. Indeed, those lords of Earth, deprived of
life and limbs, fell down on the Earth. Looking like the mountain-
summits in consequence of their uneven backs, huge elephants
with their riders, deprived of life, fell down like mountains riven
by thunder. Thousands of steeds, with their armour, equipments,
and adornments all torn and broken and displaced, fell down,
along with their heroic riders, deprived of life. Car-warriors with
weapons loosened from their grasp, and deprived by (hostile) car-
warriors of cars and life, and large bands of foot-soldiers, slain by
hostile heroes in that dreadful clash, fell down in thousands. The
Earth became covered with the heads of heroic combatants
intoxicated with battle, heads that were adorned with large and
expansive eyes of coppery hue and faces as beautiful as the lotus
or the moon. And people heard noises as loud in the sky as on the
surface of the Earth, in consequence of the sound of music and
song proceeding from large bands of Apsaras on their celestial
cars, with which those bands of heavenly choristers continually
greeted the newly-arrived heroes slain in hundreds and thousands
by brave enemies on Earth, and with which, placing them on
celestial cars, they repaired on those vehicles (towards the region
of Indra). Witnessing with their own eyes those wonderful sights,
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and actuated by the desire of going to heaven, heroes with

cheerful hearts speedily slew one another. Car-warriors fought
beautifully with car-warriors in that battle, and foot-soldiers with
foot-soldiers, and elephants with elephants, and steeds with steeds.
Indeed, when that battle, destructive of elephants and steeds and
men, raged in this way, the field became covered with the dust
raised by the troops. Then enemies slew enemies and friends slew
friends. The combatants dragged one another by their locks, bit
one another with their teeth, tore one another with their nails, and
struck one another with clenched fists, and fought one another
with bare arms in that fierce battle destructive of both life and
sins. Indeed, as that battle, fraught with carnage of elephants and
steeds and men, raged on so fiercely, a river of blood ran from the
bodies of (slain) human beings and steeds and elephants. And that
current carried away a large number of dead bodies of elephants
and steeds and men. Indeed, in that vast host teeming with men,
steeds, and elephants, that river formed by the blood of men and
steeds and elephants and horsemen and elephant-men, became
miry with flesh and exceedingly terrible. And on that current,
inspiring the timid with terror, floated the bodies of men and
steeds and elephants. Impelled by the desire of victory, some
combatants forded it and some remained on the other side. And
some plunged into its depths, and some sank in it and some rose
above its surface as they swam through it. Smeared all over with
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blood, their armour and weapons and robes—all became bloody.

Some bathed in it and some drank the liquid and some became
strengthless, O bull of Bharata’s race. Cars and steeds, and men
and elephants and weapons and ornaments, and robes and armour,
and combatants that were slain or about to be slain, and the Earth,
the welkin, the firmament, and all the points of the compass,
became red. With the odour, the touch, the taste, and the
exceedingly red sight of that blood and its rushing sound, almost
all the combatants, O Bharata, became very cheerless. The
Pandava heroes then, headed by Bhimasena and Satyaki, once
more rushed impetuously against that army already beaten.
Beholding the impetuosity of that rush of the Pandava heroes to be
irresistible, the vast force of thy sons, O king, turned its back on
the field. Indeed, that host of thine, teeming with cars and steeds
and elephants and men no longer in compact array, with armour
and coats of mail displaced and weapons and bows loosened from
their grasp, fled away in all directions, whilst being agitated by the
enemy, even like a herd of elephants in the forest afflicted by
lions.’”
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50
“Sanjaya said, ‘Beholding the Pandava heroes rushing

impetuously towards thy host, Duryodhana, O monarch,
endeavoured to check the warriors of his army on all sides, O bull
of Bharata race. Although, however, thy son cried at the top of his
voice, his flying troops, O king, still refused to stop. Then one of
the wings of the army and its further wing, and Shakuni, the son
of Subala, and the Kauravas well-armed turned against Bhimasena
in that battle. Karna also, beholding the Dhartarashtra force with
all its kings flying away, addressed the ruler of the Madras,
saying, “Proceed towards the car of Bhima.” Thus addressed by
Karna, the ruler of the Madras began to urge those foremost of
steeds, of the hue of swans, towards the spot where Vrikodara
was. Thus urged by Shalya, that ornament of battle, those steeds
approaching the car of Bhimasena, mingled in battle. Meanwhile,
Bhima, beholding Karna approach, became filled with rage, and
set his heart on the destruction of Karna, O bull of Bharata’s race.
Addressing the heroic Satyaki and Dhrishtadyumna, the son of
Prishata, he said, “Go you to protect king Yudhishthira of virtuous
soul. With difficulty he escaped from a situation of great peril
before my very eyes. In my sight have the armour and robes of the
king been cut off and torn, for Duryodhana’s gratification, by
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Radha’s son of wicked soul. I shall today reach the end of that
woe, O son of Prishata. Today, either I shall slay Karna in battle,
or he will slay me in dreadful battle. I tell thee truly. Today I
make over the king to you as sacred pledge. With cheerful hearts
exert ye today for protecting the king.” Having said these words,
the mighty-armed Bhima proceeded towards Adhiratha’s son,
making all the points of the compass resound with a loud leonine
shout. Beholding Bhima, that delighter in battle, advancing
quickly, the puissant king of the Madras addressed the Suta’s son
in the following words:
“’Shalya said, “Behold, O Karna, the mighty-armed son of Pandu,

who is filled with rage. Without doubt, he is desirous of vomiting
upon thee that wrath which he has cherished for many years.
Never before did I see him assume such a form, not even when
Abhimanyu was slain and the Rakshasa Ghatotkaca. Filled with
wrath, the form he hath now assumed, endued with the splendour
of the all-destroying fire at the end of the Yuga, is such that it
seems he is capable of resisting the three worlds united together.’”
“Sanjaya continued, ‘While the ruler of the Madras was saying

these words unto the son of Radha, Vrikodara, excited with rage,
came upon Karna. Beholding Bhima, that delighter in battle,
approaching him in that way, the son of Radha laughingly said
unto Shalya these words, “The words that thou, O ruler of the
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Madras, hast today spoken to me regarding Bhima, O lord, are

without doubt all true. This Vrikodara is brave and is a hero full of
wrath. He is reckless in protecting his body, and in strength of
limbs he is superior to all. While leading a life of concealment in
the city of Virata, relying then on the might of his bare arms, for
doing what was agreeable to Draupadi, he secretly slew Kichaka
with all his relatives. Even he stands today at the head of battle
clad in mail and insensate with wrath. He is ready to engage in
battle with the Destroyer armed with uplifted mace. This desire,
however, hath been cherished through all my days, viz., that either
I shall slay Arjuna or Arjuna will slay me. That desire of mine
may be fulfilled today in consequence of my encounter with
Bhima. If I slay Bhima or make him carless, Partha may come
against me. That will be well for me. Settle that without delay
which thou thinkest to be suitable to the hour.” Hearing these
words of Radha’s son of immeasurable energy Shalya replied,
saying, “O thou of mighty arms, proceed against Bhimasena of
great might. Having checked Bhimasena, thou mayst then obtain
Phalguna. That which is thy purpose, that desire which for many
long years thou hast cherished in thy heart, will be accomplished,
O Karna. I tell the truth.” Thus addressed, Karna once more said
unto Shalya, “Either I shall slay Arjuna in battle, or he will slay
me. Setting thy heart on battle proceed to the spot where
Vrikodara is.’”
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“Sanjaya continued, ‘Then, O king, Shalya speedily proceeded on

that car to the spot where that great bowman, viz., Bhima, was
engaged in routing thy army. There rose then the blare of trumpets
and the peal of drums, O monarch, when Bhima and Karna met.
The mighty Bhimasena, filled with rage, began to scatter thy
troops difficult of defeat, with his sharp and polished shafts, to all
sides. That collision in battle, O monarch, between Karna and the
son of Pandu became, O king, fierce and awful, and the noise that
arose was tremendous. Beholding Bhima coming towards him,
Karna, otherwise called Vaikartana or Vrisha, filled with rage,
struck him with shafts in the centre of the chest. And once more,
Karna of immeasurable soul, covered him with a shower of
arrows. Thus pierced by the Suta’s son, Bhima covered the former
with winged arrows. And he once more pierced Karna with nine
straight and keen shafts. Then Karna, with a number of arrows,
cut in twain Bhima’s bow at the handle. And after cutting off his
bow, he pierced him once again in the centre of the chest with a
shaft of great keenness and capable of penetrating every kind of
armour. Then Vrikodara, taking up another bow, O king, and
knowing full well what the vital parts of the body are, pierced the
Suta’s son with many keen arrows. Then Karna pierced him with
five and twenty arrows, like a hunter striking a proud and infuriate
elephant in the forest with a number of blazing brands. His limbs
mangled with those shafts, his eyes red with rage and the desire of
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revenge, the son of Pandu, insensate with wrath, and impelled by

the desire of slaying the Suta’s son, fixed on his bow an excellent
shaft of great impetuosity, capable of bearing a great strain, and
competent to pierce the very mountains. Forcibly drawing the
bow-string to his very ear, the son of the Wind-god, that great
bowman, filled with wrath and desirous of making an end of
Karna, sped that shaft. Thus sped by the mighty Bhima, that shaft,
making a noise loud as that of the thunder, pierced through
thunderbolt Karna in that battle, like the thunderbolt itself piercing
through a mountain. Struck by Bhimasena, O perpetuator of
Kuru’s race, the Suta’s son, that commander (of thy forces), sat
down senseless on the terrace of his car. The ruler of the Madras
then, beholding the Suta’s son deprived of his senses, bore that
ornament of battle away on his car, from that fight. Then after
Karna’s defeat, Bhimasena began to rout the vast Dhartarashtra
host like Indra routing the danavas.’”
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51
“Dhritarashtra said, ‘Exceedingly difficult of accomplishment was

that feat, O Sanjaya, which was achieved by Bhima who caused
the mighty-armed Karna himself to measure his length on the
terrace of his car. There is only one person, Karna, who will slay
the Pandavas along with the Srinjayas—even this is what
Duryodhana, O Suta, used very often to say unto me. Beholding,
however, that son of Radha now defeated by Bhima in battle, what
did my son Duryodhana next do?’
“Sanjaya said, ‘Beholding Radha’s son of the Suta caste turned

back from the fight in that great battle, thy son, O monarch,
addressed his uterine brothers, saying, “Go ye quickly, blessed be
ye, and protect the son of Radha who is plunged into that
fathomless ocean of calamity represented by the fear of
Bhimasena.” Thus commanded by the king, those princes, excited
with wrath and desirous of slaying Bhimasena, rushed towards
him like insects towards a blazing fire. They were Srutarvan and
Durddhara and Kratha and Vivitsu and Vikata and Soma, and
Nishangin and Kavashin and Pasin and Nanda and Upanandaka,
and Duspradharsha and Suvahu and Vatavega and Suvarchasas,
and Dhanurgraha and Durmada and Jalasandha and Sala and Saha.
Surrounded by a large car-force, those princes, endued with great
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energy and might, approached Bhimasena and encompassed him

on all sides. They sped at him from every side showers of arrows
of diverse kinds. Thus afflicted by them, Bhima of great strength,
O king, quickly slew fifty foremost car-warriors with five hundred
others, amongst those sons of thine that advanced against him.
Filled with rage, Bhimasena then, O king, with a broad-headed
arrow, struck off the head of Vivitsu adorned with earrings and
head-gear, and graced with a face resembling the full moon. Thus
cut off, that prince fell down on the Earth. Beholding that heroic
brother of theirs slain, the (other) brothers there, O lord, rushed in
that battle, from every side, upon Bhima of terrible prowess. With
two other broad-headed arrows then, Bhima of terrible prowess
took the lives of two other sons of thine in that dreadful battle.
Those two, Vikata and Saha, looking like a couple of celestial
youths, O king, thereupon fell down on the Earth like a couple of
trees uprooted by the tempest. Then Bhima, without losing a
moment, despatched Kratha to the abode of Yama, with a long
arrow of keen point. Deprived of life, that prince fell down on the
Earth. Loud cries of woe then, O ruler of men, arose there when
those heroic sons of thine, all great bowmen, were being thus
slaughtered. When those troops were once more agitated, the
mighty Bhima, O monarch, then despatched Nanda and Upananda
in that battle to Yama’s abode. Thereupon thy sons, exceedingly
agitated and inspired with fear, fled away, seeing that Bhimasena
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in that battle behaved like the Destroyer himself at the end of the
Yuga. Beholding those sons of thine slain, the Suta’s son with a
cheerless heart once more urged his steeds of the hue of swans to
that place where the son of Pandu was. Those steeds, O king,
urged on by the ruler of Madras, approached with great speed the
car of Bhimasena and mingled in battle. The collision, O monarch,
that once more took place between Karna and the son of Pandu in
battle, became, O king, exceedingly fierce and awful and fraught
with a loud din. Beholding, O king, those two mighty car-warriors
close with each other, I became very curious to observe the course
of the battle. Then Bhima, boasting of his prowess in battle,
covered Karna in that encounter, O king, with showers of winged
shafts in the very sight of thy sons. Then Karna, that warrior
acquainted with the highest of weapons, filled with wrath, pierced
Bhima with nine broad-headed and straight arrows made entirely
of iron. Thereupon the mighty-armed Bhima of terrible prowess,
thus struck by Karna, pierced his assailant in return with seven
shafts sped from his bow-string drawn to his ear. Then Karna, O
monarch, sighing like a snake of virulent poison, shrouded the son
of Pandu with a thick shower of arrows. The mighty Bhima also,
shrouding that mighty car-warrior with dense arrowy downpours
in the very sight of the Kauravas, uttered a loud shout. Then
Karna, filled with rage, grasped his strong bow and pierced Bhima
with ten arrows whetted on stone and equipped with kanka
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feathers. With another broad-headed arrow of great sharpness, he

also cut off Bhima’s bow. Then the mighty-armed Bhima of great
strength, taking up a terrible parigha, twined round with hempen
cords and decked with gold and resembling a second bludgeon of
Death himself, and desiring to slay Karna outright, hurled it at him
with a loud roar. Karna, however, with a number of arrows
resembling snakes of virulent poison, cut off into many fragments
that spiked mace as it coursed towards him with the tremendous
peal of thunder. Then Bhima, that grinder of hostile troops,
grasping his bow with greater strength, covered Karna with keen
shafts. The battle that took place between Karna and the son of
Pandu in that meeting became awful for a moment, like that of a
couple of huge lions desirous of slaying each other. Then Karna,
O king, drawing the bow with great force and stretching the string
to his very ear, pierced Bhimasena with three arrows. Deeply
pierced by Karna, that great bowman and foremost of all persons
endued with might then took up a terrible shaft capable of piercing
through the body of his antagonist. That shaft, cutting through
Karna’s armour and piercing through his body, passed out and
entered the Earth like a snake into ant-hill. In consequence of the
violence of that stroke, Karna felt great pain and became
exceedingly agitated. Indeed, he trembled on his car like a
mountain during an earthquake. Then Karna, O king, filled with
rage and the desire to retaliate, struck Bhima with five and twenty
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shafts, and then with many more. With one arrow he then cut off
Bhimasena’s standard, and with another broad-headed arrow he
despatched Bhima’s driver to the presence of Yama. Next quickly
cutting off the bow of Pandu’s son with another winged arrow,
Karna deprived Bhima of terrible feats of his car. Deprived of his
car, O chief of Bharata’s race, the mighty-armed Bhima, who
resembled the Wind-god (in prowess) took up a mace and jumped
down from his excellent vehicle. Indeed, jumping down from his
car with great fury, Bhima began to slay thy troops, O king, like
the wind destroying the clouds of autumn. Suddenly the son of
Pandu, that scorcher of foes, filled with wrath, routed seven
hundred elephants, O king, endued with tusks as large as plough-
shafts, and all skilled in smiting hostile troops. Possessed of great
strength and a knowledge of what the vital parts of an elephant
are, he struck them on their temples and frontal globes and eyes
and the parts above their gums. Thereupon those animals, inspired
with fear, ran away. But urged again by their drivers they
surrounded Bhimasena once more, like the clouds covering the
Sun. Like Indra felling mountains with thunder, Bhima with his
mace prostrated those seven hundred elephants with their riders
and weapons and standards. That chastiser of foes, the son of
Kunti, next pressed down two and fifty elephants of great strength
belonging to the son of Subala. Scorching thy army, the son of
Pandu then destroyed a century of foremost cars and several
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hundreds of foot-soldiers in that battle. Scorched by the Sun as

also by the high-souled Bhima, thy army began to shrink like a
piece of leather spread over a fire. Those troops of thine, O bull of
Bharata’s race, filled with anxiety through fear of Bhimasena,
avoided Bhima in that battle and fled away in all directions. Then
five hundred car-warriors, cased in excellent mail, rushed towards
Bhima with loud shouts, shooting thick showers of arrows on all
sides. Like Vishnu destroying the Asuras, Bhima destroyed with
his mace all those brave warriors with their drivers and cars and
banners and standards and weapons. Then 3,000 horsemen,
despatched by Shakuni, respected by all brave men and armed
with darts and swords and lances, rushed towards Bhima. That
slayer of foes, advancing impetuously towards them, and coursing
in diverse tracks, slew them with his mace. Loud sounds arose
from among them while they were being assailed by Bhima, like
those that arise from among herd of elephants struck with large
pieces of rocks. Having slain those 3,000 excellent horses of
Subala’s son in that way, he rode upon another car, and filled with
rage proceeded against the son of Radha. Meanwhile, Karna also,
O king, covered Dharma’s son (Yudhishthira) that chastiser of
foes, with thick showers of arrows, and felled his driver. Then that
mighty car-warrior beholding Yudhishthira fly away in that battle,
pursued him, shooting many straight-coursing shafts equipped
with Kanka feathers. The son of the Wind-god, filled with wrath,
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and covering the entire welkin with his shafts, shrouded Karna
with thick showers of arrows as the latter pursued the king from
behind. The son of Radha then, that crusher of foes, turning back
from the pursuit, quickly covered Bhima himself with sharp
arrows from every side. Then Satyaki, of immeasurable soul, O
Bharata, placing himself on the side of Bhima’s car, began to
afflict Karna who was in front of Bhima. Though exceedingly
afflicted by Satyaki, Karna still approached Bhima. Approaching
each other those two bulls among all wielders of bows, those two
heroes endued with great energy, looked exceedingly resplendent
as they sped their beautiful arrows at each other. Spread by them,
O monarch, in the welkin, those flights of arrows, blazing as the
backs of cranes, looked exceedingly fierce and terrible. In
consequence of those thousands of arrows, O king, neither the
rays of the Sun nor the points of the compass, cardinal and
subsidiary, could any longer be noticed either by ourselves or by
the enemy. Indeed, the blazing effulgence of the Sun shining at
mid-day was dispelled by those dense showers of arrows shot by
Karna and the son of Pandu. Beholding the son of Subala, and
Kritavarma, and Drona’s son, and Adhiratha’s son, and Kripa,
engaged with the Pandavas, the Kauravas rallied and came back to
the fight. Tremendous became the din, O monarch, that was made
by that host as it rushed impetuously against their foes, resembling
that terrible noise that is made by many oceans swollen with rains.
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Furiously engaged in battle, the two hosts became filled with great
joy as the warriors beheld and seized one another in that dreadful
melee. The battle that commenced at that hour when the Sun had
reached the meridian was such that its like had never been heard
or seen by us. One vast host rushed against another, like a vast
reservoir of water rushing towards the ocean. The din that arose
from the two hosts as they roared at each other, was loud and deep
as that which may be heard when several oceans mingle with one
another. Indeed, the two furious hosts, approaching each other,
mingled into one mass like two furious rivers that run into each
other.
“’The battle then commenced, awful and terrible, between the

Kurus and the Pandavas, both of whom were inspired with the
desire of winning great fame. A perfect Babel of voices of the
shouting warriors was incessantly heard there, O royal Bharata, as
they addressed one another by name. He who had anything, by his
father’s or mother’s side or in respect of his acts or conduct, that
could furnish matter for ridicule, was in that battle made to hear it
by his antagonist. Beholding those brave warriors loudly rebuking
one another in that battle, I thought, O king, that their periods of
life had been run out. Beholding the bodies of those angry heroes
of immeasurable energy a great fear entered my heart, respecting
the dire consequences that would ensue. Then the Pandavas, O
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king, and the Kauravas also, mighty car-warriors all, striking one
another, began to mangle one another with their keen shafts.’”
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“Sanjaya said, ‘Those Kshatriyas, O monarch, harbouring feelings

of animosity against one another and longing to take one another’s
life, began to slay one another in that battle. Throngs of cars, and
large bodies of horses, and teeming divisions of infantry and
elephants in large numbers mingled with one another, O king, for
battle. We beheld the falling of maces and spiked bludgeons and
Kunapas and lances and short arrows and rockets hurled at one
another in that dreadful engagement. Arrowy showers terrible to
look at coursed like flights of locusts. Elephants approaching
elephants routed one another. Horsemen encountering horsemen
in that battle, and car-warriors encountering car-warriors, and
foot-soldiers encountering foot-soldiers, and foot-soldiers meeting
with horsemen, and foot-soldiers meeting with cars and elephants,
and cars meeting with elephants and horsemen, and elephants of
great speed meeting with the three other kinds of forces, began, O
king, to crush and grind one another. In consequence of those
brave combatants striking one another and shouting at the top of
their voices, the field of battle became awful, resembling the
slaughter-ground of creatures (of Rudra himself). The Earth, O
Bharata, covered with blood, looked beautiful like a vast plain in
the season of rains covered with the red coccinella. Indeed, the
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Earth assumed the aspect of a youthful maiden of great beauty,

attired in white robes dyed with deep red. Variegated with flesh
and blood, the field of battle looked as if decked all over with
gold. Large numbers of heads severed from trunks and arms and
thighs and earrings and other ornaments displaced from the bodies
of warriors, O Bharata, and collars and cuirasses and bodies of
brave bowmen, and coats of mail, and banners, lay scattered on
the ground. Elephants coming against elephants tore one another
with their tusks, O king. Struck with the tusks of hostile compeers,
elephants looked exceedingly beautiful. Bathed in blood, those
huge creatures looked resplendent like moving hills decked with
metals, down whose breasts ran streams of liquid chalk. Lances
hurled by horsemen, or those held horizontally by hostile
combatants, were seized by many of those beasts, while many
amongst them twisted and broke those weapons. Many huge
elephants, whose armour had been cut off with shafts, looked, O
king, like mountains divested of clouds at the advent of winter.
Many foremost of elephants pierced with arrows winged with
gold, looked beautiful like mountains, O sire, whose summits are
lighted with blazing brands. Some of those creatures, huge as
hills, struck by hostile compeers, fell down in that battle, like
winged mountains (when clipped of their wings). Others, afflicted
with arrows and much pained by their wounds, fell down touching
the Earth, in that dreadful battle, at their frontal globes or the parts
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between their tusks. Others roared aloud like lions. And many,
uttering terrible sounds, ran hither and thither, and many, O king,
uttered cries of pain. Steeds also, in golden trappings, struck with
arrows, fell down, or became weak, or ran in all directions.
Others, struck with arrows and lances or dragged down, fell on the
Earth and writhed in agony, making diverse kinds of motion. Men
also, struck down, fell on the Earth, uttering diverse cries of pain,
O sire; others, beholding their relatives and sires and grandsires,
and others seeing retreating foes, shouted to one another their
well-known names and the names of their races. The arms of
many combatants, decked with ornaments of gold, cut off, O king,
by foes, writhed on the ground, making diverse kinds of motions.
Thousands of such arms fell down and sprang up, and many
seemed to dart forward like five-headed snakes. Those arms,
looking like the tapering bodies of snakes, and smeared with
sandal paste, O king, looked beautiful, when drenched with blood,
like little standards of gold. When the battle, becoming general,
raged so furiously on all sides, the warriors fought with and slew
one another without distinct perceptions of those they fought with
or struck. A dusty cloud overspread the field of battle, and the
weapons used fell in thick showers. The scene being thus
darkened, the combatants could no longer distinguish friends from
foes. Indeed, that fierce and awful battle proceeded thus. And
soon there began to flow many mighty rivers of the bloody
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currents. And they abounded with the heads of combatants that

formed their rocks. And the hair of the warriors constituted their
floating weeds and moss. Bones formed the fishes with which
they teemed, and bows and arrows and maces formed the rafts by
which to cross them. Flesh and blood forming their mire, those
terrible and awful rivers, with currents swelled by blood, were
thus formed there, enhancing the fears of the timid and the joy of
the brave. Those awful rivers led to the abode of Yama. Many
plunged into those streams inspiring Kshatriyas with fear, and
perished. And in consequence of various carnivorous creatures, O
tiger among men, roaring and yelling on all sides, the field of
battle became terrible like the domains of the king of the dead.
And innumerable headless trunks rose up on all sides. And
terrible creatures, gorging on flesh and drinking fat, and blood, O
Bharata, began to dance around. And crows and vultures and
cranes, gratified with fat and marrow and other animals relishing
flesh, were seen to move about in glee. They, however, O king,
that were heroes, casting off all fear which is so difficult of being
cast off, and observing the vow of warriors, fearlessly did their
duty. Indeed, on that field where countless arrows and darts
coursed through the air, and which was crowded with carnivorous
creatures of diverse kinds, brave warriors careered fearlessly,
displaying their prowess. Addressing one another, O Bharata, they
declared their names and families. And many amongst them,
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declaring the names of their sires and families, O lord, began to

crush one another, O king, with darts and lances and battle-axes.
During the progress of that fierce and awful battle, the Kaurava
army became strengthless and unable to bear up any longer like a
foundered vessel on the bosom of the ocean.’”
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“Sanjaya said, ‘During the progress of that battle in which so

many Kshatriyas sank down, the loud twang of Gandiva, O sire,
was heard above the din on that spot, O king, where the son of
Pandu was engaged in slaughtering the samsaptakas, the Kosalas,
and the Narayana forces. Filled with rage and longing for victory,
the samsaptakas, in that battle, began to pour showers of arrows
on Arjuna’s head. The puissant Partha, however, quickly checking
those arrowy showers, O king, plunged into that battle, and began
to slay many foremost of car-warriors. Plunging into the midst of
that division of cars with the aid of his whetted shafts equipped
with Kanka feathers, Partha came upon Susharma of excellent
weapons. That foremost of car-warriors poured on Arjuna thick
showers of arrows. Meanwhile the samsaptakas also covered
Partha with their shafts. Then Susharma, piercing Partha with ten
shafts, struck Janardana with three in the right arm. With a broad-
headed arrow then, O sire, he pierced the standard of Arjuna.
Thereupon that foremost of apes, of huge dimensions, the
handiwork of the celestial artificer himself, began to utter loud
sounds and roared very fiercely, affrighting thy troops. Hearing
the roars of the ape, thy army became inspired with fear. Indeed,
under the influence of a great fear, that army became perfectly
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inactive. That army then, as it stood inactive, O king, looked

beautiful like the Citraratha forest with its flowery burthen of
diverse kinds. Then those warriors, recovering their senses, O
chief of the Kurus, began to drench Arjuna with their arrowy
downpours like the clouds drenching the mountains. Then all of
them encompassed the great car of the Pandava. Assailing him,
they uttered loud roars although all the while they were being
struck and slaughtered with sharp shafts. Assailing his steeds, his
car-wheels, his car-shaft, and every other limb of his vehicle, with
great force, O sire, they uttered many leonine roars. Some among
them seized the massive arms of Keshava, and some among them,
O king, seized Partha himself with great joy as he stood on his car.
Then Keshava, shaking his arms on the field of battle, threw down
all those that had seized them, like a wicked elephant shaking
down all the riders from his back. Then Partha, encompassed by
those great car-warriors, and beholding his car assailed and
Keshava attacked in that manner became filled with rage, and
overthrew a large number of car-warriors and foot-soldiers. And
he covered all the combatants that were close to him with many
arrows, that were fit for close encounters. Addressing Keshava
then, he said, “Behold, O Krishna, O thou of mighty arms, these
countless samsaptakas engaged in accomplishing a fearful task
although slaughtered in thousands. O bull amongst the Yadus,
there is none on Earth, save myself, that would be able to bear
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such a close attack on his car.” Having said these words, Vibhatsu
blew his conch. Then Krishna also blew his conch filling the
welkin with its blare. Hearing that blare the army of the
samsaptakas began to waver, O king, and became inspired with
great fright. Then that slayer of hostile heroes, viz., the son of
Pandu, paralysed the legs of the samsaptakas by repeatedly
invoking, O monarch, the weapon called Naga. Thus tied with
those foot-tying bands by the high-souled son of Pandu, all of
them stood motionless, O king, as if they had been petrified. The
son of Pandu then began to slay those motionless warriors like
Indra in days of yore slaying the Daityas in the battle with Taraka.
Thus slaughtered in that battle, they set the car free, and
commenced to throw down all their weapons. Their legs being
paralysed, they could not, O king, move a step. Then Partha slew
them with his straight arrows. Indeed, all these warriors in that
battle, aiming at whom Partha had invoked that foot-tying
weapon, had their lower limbs encircled with snakes. Then the
mighty car-warrior Susharma, O monarch, beholding his army
thus paralysed, quickly invoked the weapon called Sauparna.
Thereupon numerous birds began to come down and devour those
snakes. The latter again, at the sight of rangers of the sky, began,
O king, to fly away. Freed from that foot-tying weapon, the
Samsaptaka force, O monarch, looked like the Sun himself giving
light unto all creatures, when freed from clouds. Thus liberated,
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those warriors once more shot their arrows, O sire, and hurled
their weapons at Arjuna’s car. And all of them pierced Partha with
numerous weapons. Cutting off with his own arrowy downpour
that shower of mighty weapons Vasava’s son, that slayer of
hostile heroes, began to slaughter those warriors. Then Susharma,
O king, with a straight arrow, pierced Arjuna in the chest, and
then he pierced him with three other shafts. Deeply pierced
therewith, and feeling great pain, Arjuna sat down on the terrace
of his car. Then all the troops loudly cried out, saying, “Partha is
slain.” At this the blare of conchs, and the peal of drums, and the
sound of diverse musical instruments, and loud leonine shouts,
arose there. Recovering his senses, Partha of immeasurable soul,
owning white steeds and having Krishna for his driver, speedily
invoked the Aindra weapon. Then thousands of arrows, O sire,
issuing from that weapon, were seen on all sides to slay kings and
elephants. And steeds and warriors, in hundreds and thousands,
were also seen to be slaughtered in that battle, with these
weapons. Then while the troops were thus being slaughtered, a
great fear entered the hearts of all the samsaptakas and Gopalas, O
Bharata. There was no man amongst them that could fight with
Arjuna. There in the very sight of all the heroes, Arjuna began to
destroy thy troops. Beholding that slaughter, all of them remained
perfectly inactive, without putting forth their prowess. Then the
son of Pandu having slain full 10,000 combatants in that battle,
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looked resplendent, O monarch, like a blazing fire without smoke.

And then he slew full 14,000 warriors, and 3,000 warriors, and
3,000 elephants. Then the samsaptakas once more encompassed
Dhananjaya, making death or victory their goal. The battle then
that took place there between thy warriors and that mighty hero,
viz., the diadem-decked son of Pandu became awful.’”
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“Sanjaya said, ‘Then Kritavarma, and Kripa, and the son of Drona
and the Suta’s son, O sire, and Uluka, and Subala’s son (Shakuni),
and the king himself, with his uterine brothers, beholding the
(Kuru) army afflicted with the fear of Pandu’s son, unable to stand
together, like a vessel wrecked on the ocean, endeavoured to
rescue it with great speed. For a short space of time, O Bharata,
the battle that once more took place became exceedingly fierce,
enhancing as it did the fears of timid and the joy of the brave. The
dense showers of arrows shot in battle by Kripa, thick, as flights
of locusts, covered the Srinjayas. Then Shikhandi, filled with rage,
speedily proceeded against the grandson of Gautama (Kripa) and
poured upon that bull amongst Brahmanas his arrowy downpours
from all sides. Acquainted with the highest weapons Kripa then
checked that arrowy downpour, and wrathfully pierced Shikhandi
with ten arrows in that battle. Then Shikhandi filled with rage,
deeply pierced Kripa, in that encounter, with seven straight arrows
equipped with Kanka feathers. The twice-born Kripa then, that
great car-warrior, deeply pierced with those keen arrows, deprived
Shikhandi of his steeds, driver and car. Jumping down from his
steedless vehicle, the mighty car-warrior (Shikhandi) rushed
impetuously at the Brahmana, having taken up a sword and a
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shield. As the Pancala prince advanced, Kripa quickly covered

him with many straight arrows in that encounter, which seemed
exceedingly wonderful. Indeed, exceedingly wonderful was the
sight that we then beheld, even like the flying of rocks, for
Shikhandi, O king, (thus assailed) remained perfectly inactive in
that battle. Beholding Shikhandi covered (with arrows) by Kripa,
O best of the kings, the mighty car-warrior Dhrishtadyumna
speedily proceeded against Kripa. The great car-warrior
Kritavarma, however, rushing impetuously received
Dhrishtadyumna as the latter proceeded against the son of
Sharadvata (Kripa). Then Drona’s son checked Yudhishthira as
the latter, with his son and troops, was rushing towards the car of
Sharadvata’s son. Thy son Duryodhana, shooting a shower of
arrows, received and checked Nakula and Sahadeva, those two
great car-warriors endued with celerity. Karna too, otherwise
called Vaikartana, O Bharata, in that battle, resisted Bhimasena,
and the Karushas, the Kaikayas, and the Srinjayas. Meanwhile
Sharadvata’s son, in that battle, O sire, with great activity, sped
many arrows at Shikhandi, as if for the purpose of burning him
outright. The Pancala prince, however, whirling his sword
repeatedly, cut off all those arrows, decked with gold, that had
been sped at him by Kripa from all sides. The grandson of
Gautama (Kripa) then quickly cut off with his arrows the shield of
Prishata’s son, that was decked with hundred moons. At this feat
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of his, the troops made a loud uproar. Deprived of his shield, O

monarch, and placed under Kripa’s power Shikhandi still rushed,
sword in hand, (towards Kripa), like a sick man towards the jaws
of Death. Then Suketu, the son of Citraketu, O king, quickly
proceeded towards the mighty Shikhandi plunged into such
distress and assailed in that manner by Kripa with his arrows.
Indeed, the young prince of immeasurable soul rushed towards the
car of Sharadvata’s son and poured upon that Brahmana, in that
battle, innumerable shafts of great keenness. Beholding that
Brahmana observant of vows thus engaged in battle (with
another), Shikhandi, O best of kings, retreated hastily from that
spot. Meanwhile Suketu, O king, piercing the son of Gautama
with nine arrows, once more pierced him with seventy and again
with three. Then the prince, O sire, cut off Kripa’s bow with arrow
fixed thereon, and with another shaft struck hard the latter’s driver
in a vital limb. The grandson of Gautama then, filled with rage,
took up a new and very strong bow and struck Suketu with thirty
arrows in all his vital limbs. All his limbs exceedingly weakened,
the prince trembled on his excellent car like a tree trembling
exceedingly during an earthquake. With a razor-headed arrow
then, Kripa struck off from the prince’s trunk, while the latter was
still trembling, his head decked with a pair of blazing earrings and
head-protector. That head thereupon fell down on the Earth like a
piece of meat from the claws of a hawk, and then his trunk also
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fell down, O thou of great glory. Upon the fall of Suketu, O

monarch, his troops became frightened, and avoiding Kripa, fled
away on all sides.
“’Encompassing the mighty Dhrishtadyumna, Kritavarma

cheerfully addressed him saying, “Wait, Wait!” The encounter
then that took place between the Vrishni and the Pancala warriors
in that battle became exceedingly fierce, like that between two
hawks, O king, for a piece of meat. Filled with rage,
Dhrishtadyumna, in that battle, struck the son of Hridika
(Kritavarma, the ruler of Bhoja) with nine arrows in the chest, and
succeeded in afflicting him greatly. Then Kritavarma, thus deeply
struck by Prishata’s son in that encounter, covered his assailant,
his steeds, and his car with his shafts. Thus shrouded, O king,
along with his car, Dhrishtadyumna became invisible, like the Sun
shrouded by rain-charged clouds. Baffling all those shafts decked
with gold, Dhrishtadyumna, O king, looked resplendent in that
battle in his wounds. The commander of the Pandava forces, viz.,
the son of Prishata, then, filled with rage, approached Kritavarma
and poured upon him a fierce shower of arrows. The son of
Hridika, however, in that battle, with many thousands of his own
arrows, destroyed that fierce arrowy shower coursing towards him
with great impetuosity. Beholding his irresistible shower of
arrows checked in that battle by Kritavarma, the son of Prishata,
approaching his antagonist, began to resist him. And soon he
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despatched Kritavarma’s driver to Yama’s abode with a broad-

headed arrow of great sharpness. Deprived of life, the driver fell
down from the car. The mighty Dhrishtadyumna, having
vanquished his mighty antagonist, began then to resist the
Kauravas with shafts, without losing a moment. Then thy
warriors, O king, rushed towards Dhrishtadyumna, uttering loud
leonine roars. At this a battle once more took place between
them.’”
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“Sanjaya said, ‘Meanwhile the son of Drona (Ashvatthama),

beholding Yudhishthira protected by the grandson of Sini
(Satyaki) and by the heroic sons of Draupadi, cheerfully advanced
against the king, scattering many fierce arrows equipped with
wings of gold and whetted on stone, and displaying diverse
manoeuvres of his car and the great skill he had acquired and his
exceeding lightness of hands. He filled the entire welkin with
shafts inspired with the force of celestial weapons. Conversant
with all weapons, Drona’s son encompassed Yudhishthira in that
battle. The welkin being covered with the shafts of Drona’s son,
nothing could be seen. The vast space in front of Ashvatthama
became one expanse of arrows. The welkin then, thus covered
with that dense shower of arrows decked with gold, looked
beautiful, O chief of the Bharatas, as if a canopy embroidered with
gold had been spread there. Indeed, the firmament, O king, having
been covered with that bright shower of arrows, a shadow, as that
of the clouds, appeared there on the occasion. Wonderful was the
sight that we then beheld when the sky had thus become one
expanse of arrows, for not one creature ranging the sky could
course through his element. Then Satyaki, though struggling
resolutely, and Pandu’s son king Yudhishthira the just, as also all
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the other warriors, could not display their prowess. Beholding the
great lightness of hands displayed by the son of Drona, the mighty
car-warriors (of the Pandava army) were filled with wonder. All
the kings became incapable of even looking at Ashvatthama, O
monarch, who then resembled the scorching Sun himself in the
sky. While the Pandava troops were thus being slaughtered, those
mighty car-warriors, viz., the sons of Draupadi, and Satyaki, and
king Yudhishthira the just, and the Pancala warriors, all uniting
together, cast off their fears of death and rushed against the son of
Drona. Then Satyaki, piercing the son of Drona with seventy
arrows, once more pierced him with seven long shafts decked with
gold. And Yudhishthira pierced him with three and seventy
arrows, and Prativindya with seven, and Srutakarman pierced him
with three arrows and Srutakirti with five. And Sutasoma pierced
him with nine arrows, and Satanika with seven. And many other
heroes pierced him with many arrows from every side. Filled then
with rage and breathing, O king, like a snake of virulent poison,
Drona’s son pierced Satyaki in return with five and twenty arrows
whetted on stone. And he pierced Srutakirti with nine arrows and
Sutasoma with five, and with eight arrows he pierced
Srutakarman, and Prativindya with three. And he pierced Satanika
with nine arrows, and Dharma’s son (Yudhishthira) with five. And
each of the other warriors he pierced with a couple of shafts. With
some keen arrows he then cut off the bow of Srutakirti. The latter
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then, that great car-warrior, taking up another bow, pierced

Drona’s son, first with three arrows and then with many others
equipped with sharp points. Then, O monarch, the son of Drona
covered the Pandava troops, O sire, with thick showers of arrows,
O bull of Bharata’s race. Of immeasurable soul, the son of Drona,
next smiling the while, cut off the bow of king Yudhishthira the
just, and then pierced him with three arrows. The son of Dharma
then, O king, taking up another formidable bow, pierced Drona’s
son with seventy arrows in the arms and the chest. Then Satyaki,
filled with rage in that battle, cut off the bow of Drona’s son, that
great smiter, with a sharp crescent-shaped arrow and uttered a
loud roar. His bow cut off, that foremost of mighty men viz., the
son of Drona, quickly felled Satyaki’s driver from his car with a
dart. The valiant son of Drona then, taking up another bow,
covered the grandson of Sini, O Bharata, with a shower of arrows.
His driver having been slain, Satyaki’s steeds were seen to run
hither and thither, O Bharata, in that battle. Then the Pandava
warriors headed by Yudhishthira, shooting sharp shafts, all rushed
with impetuosity towards Drona’s son, that foremost of all
wielders of weapons. That scorcher of foes, however, viz., the son
of Drona, beholding those warriors wrathfully advancing against
him received them all in that dreadful battle. Then like a fire in the
forest consuming heaps of dry grass and straw, that mighty car-
warrior, viz., Drona’s son, having showers of arrows for his
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flames, consumed the Pandava troops in that battle, who

resembled a heap of dry grass and straw. That army of Pandu’s
son, thus scorched by the son of Drona, became exceedingly
agitated, O chief of the Bharatas, like the mouth of a river by a
whale. People then, O monarch, beholding the prowess of Drona’s
son, regarded all the Pandavas as already slain by him. Then
Yudhishthira, that great car-warrior and disciple of Drona, filled
with rage and the desire to retaliate, addressed Drona’s son,
saying “O tiger among men, thou hast no affection, thou hast no
gratitude, since thou desirest to slay me today. The duties of a
Brahmana are asceticism and gift and study. The bow should be
bent by the Kshatriya only. It seems, therefore, that thou art a
Brahmana in name only. In thy very sight, however. O thou of
mighty arms, I will vanquish the Kauravas in battle. Do what
thou canst in battle. I tell thee that thou art a wretch amongst
Brahmanas.” Thus addressed, the son of Drona. smiling, and
reflecting upon what was proper and true, gave no reply. Without
saying anything, he covered the son of Pandu in that battle with a
shower of arrows like the destroyer himself in wrath while
engaged in annihilating creatures. Thus covered by Drona’s son.
O sire, the son of Pritha quickly went away from that spot, leaving
that large division of his. After Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma,
had gone away, the high-souled son of Drona also, O king, left
that spot. Then Yudhishthira, O king, avoiding the son of Drona in
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that great battle proceeded against thy army, resolved to achieve

the cruel task of slaughter.’”
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56
“Sanjaya said, ‘Meanwhile Vikartana himself, resisting

Bhimasena supported by the Pancalas and the Cedis and the
Kaikayas, covered him with many arrows. In the very sight of
Bhimasena, Karna, slew in that battle many mighty car-warriors
among the Cedis, the Karushas, and the Srinjayas. Then
Bhimasena, avoiding Karna, that best of car-warriors, proceeded
against the Kaurava troops like a blazing fire towards a heap of
dry grass. The Suta’s son also in that battle, began to slay the
mighty bowmen amongst the Pancalas, the Kaikayas, and the
Srinjayas, in thousands. Indeed, the three mighty car-warriors viz.,
Partha and Vrikodara and Karna, began to exterminate the
samsaptakas, the Kauravas, and the Pancalas, respectively. In
consequence of thy evil policy, O king, all these Kshatriyas,
scorched with excellent shafts by those three great warriors, began
to be exterminated in that battle. Then Duryodhana, O chief of the
Bharatas, filled with rage, pierced Nakula and his four steeds with
nine arrows. Of immeasurable soul, thy son next, O ruler of men,
cut off the golden standard of Sahadeva with a razor-faced shaft.
Filled with wrath, Nakula then, O king, struck thy son with three
and seventy arrows in that battle, and Sahadeva struck him with
five. Each of those foremost warriors of Bharata’s race and
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foremost of all bowmen, was struck by Duryodhana in rage with

five arrows. With a couple of broad-headed arrows, then, he cut
off the bows of both those warriors; and then he suddenly pierced
each of the twins with three and seventy arrows. Taking up then
two other beautiful and foremost of bows each of which
resembled the bow of Indra himself, those two heroes looked
beautiful like a pair of celestial youths in that battle. Then those
two brothers, both endued with great activity in battle, poured
upon their cousin, O king, ceaseless showers of terrible shafts like
two masses of clouds, pouring rain upon a mountain breast.
Thereupon thy son, that great car-warrior, O king filled with rage,
resisted those two great bowmen, viz., the twin sons of Pandu,
with showers of winged arrows. The bow of Duryodhana in that
battle, O Bharata, seemed to be continuously drawn into a circle,
and shafts seemed to issue from it ceaselessly on all sides.
Covered with Duryodhana’s shafts the two sons of Pandu ceased
to shine brightly, like the Sun and the Moon in the firmament,
divested of splendour, when shrouded by masses of clouds.
Indeed, those arrows, O king, equipped with wings of gold and
whetted on stone, covered all the points of the compass like the
rays of the Sun, when the welkin was thus shrouded and all that
was seen was one uniform expanse of the Destroyer himself, at
the end of the Yuga. Beholding on the other hand, the prowess of
thy son, the great car-warriors all regarded the twin sons of Madri
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to be in the presence of Death. The commander then, O king, of

the Pandava army, viz., the mighty car-warrior Parshata (Son of
Prishata) proceeded to that spot where Duryodhana was.
Transgressing those two great car-warriors, viz., the two brave
sons of Madri, Dhrishtadyumna began to resist thy son with his
shafts. Of immeasurable soul, that bull among men, viz., thy son,
filled with the desire to retaliate, and smiling the while, pierced
the prince of Pancala with five and twenty arrows. Of
immeasurable soul and filled with the desire to retaliate, thy son
once more pierced the prince of Pancala with sixty shafts and once
again with five, and uttered a loud roar. Then the king, with a
sharp razor-faced arrow, cut off, in that battle, O sire, the bow
with arrow fixed thereon and the leathern fence of his antagonist.
Casting aside that broken bow, the prince of Pancala, that crusher
of foes, quickly took up another bow that was new and capable of
bearing a great strain. Blazing with impetuosity, and with eyes red
as blood from rage, the great bowman Dhrishtadyumna, with
many wounds on his person looked resplendent on his car.
Desirous of slaying Duryodhana, O chief of the Bharatas, the
Pancala hero sped five and ten cloth-yard shafts that resembled
hissing snakes. Those shafts, whetted on stone and equipped with
the feathers of Kankas and peacocks, cutting through the armour
decked with gold of the king passed through his body and entered
the Earth in consequence of the force with which they had been
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shot. Deeply pierced, O monarch, thy son looked exceedingly

beautiful like a gigantic Kinsuka in the season of spring with its
flowery weight. His armour pierced with those shafts, and all his
limbs rendered exceedingly infirm with wounds, he became filled
with rage and cut off Dhrishtadyumna’s bow, with a broad-headed
arrow. Having cut off his assailant’s bow the king then, O
monarch, with great speed, struck him with ten shafts on the
forehead between the two eyebrows.
Those shafts, polished by the hands of the smith, adorned

Dhrishtadyumna’s face like a number of bees, desirous of honey,
adorning a full-blown lotus. Throwing aside that broken bow, the
high-souled Dhrishtadyumna quickly took up another, and with it,
sixteen broad-headed arrows. With five he slew the four steeds
and the driver of Duryodhana, and he cut off with another his bow
decked with gold. With the remaining ten shafts, the son of
Prishata cut off the car with the upashkara, the umbrella, the dart,
the sword, the mace, and the standard of thy son. Indeed, all the
kings beheld the beautiful standard of the Kuru king, decked with
golden Angadas and bearing the device of an elephant worked in
jewels, cut off by the prince of the Pancalas. Then the uterine
brothers of Duryodhana, O bull of Bharata’s race, rescued the
carless Duryodhana who had all his weapons, besides, cut off in
that battle. In the very sight of Dhrishtadyumna, Durdhara, O
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monarch, causing that ruler of men to ride upon his car quickly
bore him away from the battle.
“’Meanwhile the mighty Karna, having vanquished Satyaki and

desirous of rescuing the (Kuru) king, proceeded straight against
the face of Drona’s slayer, that warrior of fierce shafts. The
grandson of Sini, however, quickly pursued him from behind,
striking him with his arrows, like an elephant pursuing a rival and
striking him at the hinder limbs with his tusks. Then, O Bharata,
fierce became the battle that raged between the high-souled
warriors of the two armies, in the space that intervened between
Karna and the son of Prishata. Not a single combatant of either the
Pandavas nor ourselves turned his face from the battle. Then
Karna proceeded against the Pancalas with great speed. At that
hour when the Sun had ascended the meridian, great slaughter, O
best of men, of elephants and steeds and men, took place on both
sides. The Pancalas, O king, inspired with the desire of victory, all
rushed with speed against Karna like birds towards a tree. The son
of Adhiratha, of great energy, filled with rage, began from their
front to strike those Pancalas, with the keen points of his shafts,
singling out their leaders, viz., Vyaghraketu and Susharma and
Citra and Ugrayudha and Jaya and Sukla and Rochamana and the
invincible Singhasena. Those heroes, speedily advancing with
their cars, encompassed that foremost of men, and poured their
shafts upon that angry warrior, viz., Karna, that ornament of
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battle. That foremost of men endued with great valour, viz., the
son of Radha, afflicted those eight heroes engaged in battle with
eight keen shafts. The Suta’s son possessed of great prowess, O
king, then slew many thousands of other warriors skilled in fight.
Filled with rage, the son of Radha then slew Jishnu, and
Jishnukarman, and Devapi, O king, in that battle, and Citra, and
Citrayudha, and Hari, and Singhaketu and Rochamana and the
great car-warrior Salabha, and many car-warriors among the Cedis
bathed the form of Adhiratha’s son in blood, while he himself was
engaged in taking the lives of those heroes. There, O Bharata,
elephants, assailed with arrows by Karna, fled away on all sides in
fear and caused a great agitation on the field of battle. Others
assailed with the shafts of Karna, uttered diverse cries, and fell
down like mountains riven with thunder. With the fallen bodies of
elephants and steeds and men and with fallen cars, the Earth
became strewn along the track of Karna’s car. Indeed, neither
Bhishma, nor Drona, nor any other warrior of thy army had ever
achieved such feats as were then achieved by Karna in that battle.
Amongst elephants, amongst steeds, amongst cars and amongst
men, the Suta’s son caused a very great carnage, O tiger among
men. As a lion is seen to career fearlessly among a herd of deer,
even so Karna careered fearlessly among the Pancalas. As a lion
routeth a herd of terrified deer to all points of the compass, even
so Karna routed those throngs of Pancala cars to all sides. As a
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herd of deer that have approached the jaws of a lion can never
escape with life, even so those great car-warriors that approached
Karna could not escape with their lives. As people are certainly
burnt if they come in contact with a blazing fire, even so the
Srinjayas, O Bharata, were burnt by the Karna-fire when they
came in contact with it. Many warriors among the Cedis and the
Pancalas, O Bharata, that were regarded as heroes, were slain by
the single-handed Karna in that battle who fought with them,
proclaiming his name, in every instance. Beholding the prowess of
Karna, O king, I thought that a single Pancala even would not, in
that battle, escape from the son of Adhiratha. Indeed, the Suta’s
son in that battle repeatedly routed the Pancalas.
“’Beholding Karna thus slaughtering the Pancalas in that dreadful

battle, King Yudhishthira the just rushed in wrath towards him;
Dhrishtadyumna and the sons of Draupadi also, O sire, and
hundreds of warriors, encompassed that slayer of foes viz., the son
of Radha. And Shikhandi, and Sahadeva, and Nakula, and
Nakula’s son, and Janamejaya, and the grandson of Sini, and
innumerable Prabhadrakas, all endued with immeasurable energy,
advancing with Dhrishtadyumna in their van, looked magnificent
as they struck Karna with shafts and diverse weapons. Like
Garuda falling upon a large number of snakes, the son of
Adhiratha, singlehanded, fell upon all those Cedis and Pancalas
and Pandavas in that encounter. The battle that took place between
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them and Karna, O monarch, became exceedingly fierce like that

which had occurred in days of old between the gods and the
Danavas. Like the Sun dispelling the surrounding darkness, Karna
fearlessly and alone encountered all those great bowmen united
together and pouring upon him repeated showers of arrows. While
the son of Radha was thus engaged with the Pandavas,
Bhimasena, filled with rage, began to slaughter the Kurus with
shafts, every one of which resembled the lord of Yama. That great
bowman, fighting single-handed with the Bahlikas, and the
Kaikayas, the Matsyas, the Vasatas, the Madras, and Saindhavas,
looked exceedingly resplendent. There, elephants, assailed in their
vital limbs by Bhima with his cloth-yard shafts fell down, with
their riders slain, making the Earth tremble with the violence of
their fall. Steeds also, with their riders slain, and foot-soldiers
deprived of life, lay down, pierced with arrows and vomiting
blood in large quantities. Car-warriors in thousands fell down,
their weapons loosened from their hands. Inspired with the fear of
Bhima, they lay deprived of life, their bodies mangled with
sounds. The Earth became strewn with car-warriors and horsemen
and elephant-men and drivers and foot-soldiers and steeds and
elephants all mangled with the shafts of Bhimasena. The army of
Duryodhana, O king, cheerless and mangled and afflicted with the
fear of Bhimasena, stood as if stupefied. Indeed that melancholy
host stood motionless in that dreadful battle like the Ocean, O
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king, during a calm in autumn. Stupefied, that host stood even like
the Ocean in calm. However endued with wrath and energy and
might, the army of thy son then, divested of its pride, lost all its
splendour. Indeed, the host, whilst thus being slaughtered became
drenched with gore and seemed to bathe in blood. The
combatants, O chief of the Bharatas, drenched with blood, were
seen to approach and slaughter one another. The Suta’s son, filled
with rage, routed the Pandava division, while Bhimasena in rage
routed the Kurus. And both of them, while thus employed, looked
exceedingly resplendent. During the progress of that fierce battle
filling the spectators with wonder, Arjuna, that foremost of
various persons, having slain a large number of samsaptakas in the
midst of their array, addressed Vasudeva, saying, “This struggling
force of samsaptakas, O Janardana, is broken. Those great car-
warriors amongst the samsaptakas are flying away with their
followers, unable to bear my shafts, like deer unable to bear the
roar of the lion. The vast force of the Srinjayas also seems to
break in this great battle. There that banner of the intelligent
Karna, bearing the device of the elephant’s rope, O Krishna, is
seen in the midst of Yudhishthira’s division, where he is careering
with activity. The other great car-warriors (of our army) are
incapable of vanquishing Karna. Thou knowest that Karna is
possessed of great energy as regards prowess in battle. Proceed
thither where Karna is routing our force. Avoiding (other
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warriors) in battle, proceed against the Suta’s son, that mighty car-
warrior. This is what I wish, O Krishna. Do, however, that which
thou likest.” Hearing these words of his, Govinda smiled, and
addressing Arjuna, said, “Slay the Kauravas, O son of Pandu,
without delay.” Then those steeds, white as swans, urged by
Govinda, and bearing Krishna and the son of Pandu penetrated thy
vast force. Indeed, thy host broke on all sides as those white
steeds in trappings of gold, urged by Keshava, penetrated into its
midst. That ape-bannered car, the clatter of whose wheels
resembled the deep roar of the clouds and whose flags waved in
the air, penetrated into the host like a celestial car passing through
the welkin. Keshava and Arjuna, filled with rage, and with eyes
red as blood, as they penetrated, piercing through thy vast host,
looked exceedingly resplendent in their splendour. Both
delighting in battle, as those two heroes, challenged by the Kurus,
came to the field, they looked like the twin Ashvinis invoked with
proper rites in a sacrifice by the officiating priests. Filled with
rage, the impetuosity of those two tigers among men increased
like that of two elephants in a large forest, enraged at the claps of
hunters. Having penetrated into the midst of that car-force and
those bodies of horse, Phalguna careered within those divisions
like the Destroyer himself, armed with the fatal noose. Beholding
him put forth such prowess within his army, thy son, O Bharata,
once more urged the samsaptakas against him. Thereupon, with a
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1,000 cars, and 300 elephants, and 14,000 horses, and 200,00 of
foot-soldiers armed with the bow, endued with great courage, of
sureness of aim and conversant with all the ways of battle, the
leaders of the samsaptakas rushed (from every side) towards the
son of Kunti (in the great battle) covering the Pandava, O
monarch, with showers of arrows from all sides. Thus covered
with shafts in that battle, Partha, that grinder of hostile forces,
exhibited himself in a fierce form like the Destroyer himself,
armed with the noose. While engaged in slaughtering the
samsaptakas, Partha became a worthy object of sight to all. Then
the welkin became filled with shafts decked with gold and
possessed of the effulgence of lightning that were ceaselessly
short by the diadem-decked Arjuna. Indeed, everything
completely shrouded with mighty shafts sped from Arjuna’s arms
and falling ceaselessly all around, looked resplendent, O lord, as if
covered with snakes. The son of Pandu, of immeasurable soul,
shot on all sides his straight shafts equipped with wings of gold
and furnished with keen points. In consequence of the sound of
Partha’s palms, people thought that the Earth, or the vault of the
welkin, or all the points of the compass, or the several oceans, or
the mountains seemed to split. Having slain 10,000 kshatriyas,
Kunti’s son, that mighty car-warrior, then quickly proceeded to
the further wing of the samsaptakas. Repairing to that further wing
which was protected by the Kambojas, Partha began to grind it
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forcibly with his arrows like Vasava grinding the Danavas. With
broad-headed arrows he began to quickly cut off the arms, with
weapons in grasp, and also the heads of foes longing to slay him.
Deprived of diverse limbs, and of weapons, they began to fall
down on the Earth, like trees of many boughs broken by a
hurricane. While he was engaged in thus slaughtering elephants
and steeds and car-warriors and foot-soldiers, the younger brother
of Sudakshina (the chief of the Kambojas) began to pour showers
of arrows on him. With a couple of crescent-shaped arrows,
Arjuna cut off the two arms, looking like spiked maces, of his
striking assailant, and then his head graced with a face as beautiful
as the full moon, with a razor-headed arrow. Deprived of life, he
fell down from his vehicle, his body bathed in blood, like the
thunder-riven summit of a mountain of red arsenic. Indeed,
people saw the tall and exceedingly handsome younger brother of
Sudakshina, the chief of the Kambojas, of eyes resembling lotus
petals, slain and fall down like a column of gold or like a summit
of the golden Sumeru. Then commenced a battle there once more
that was fierce and exceedingly wonderful. The condition of the
struggling combatants varied repeatedly. Each slain with a single
arrow, and combatants of the Kamboja, the Yavana, and the Saka
races, fell down bathed in blood, upon which the whole field of
battle became one expanse of red, O monarch. In consequence of
car-warriors deprived of steeds and drivers, and steeds deprived of
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riders, and elephants deprived of riders, and riders deprived of

elephants, battling with one another, O king, a great carnage took
place. When the wing and the further wing of the samsaptakas had
thus been exterminated by Savyasaci, the son of Drona quickly
proceeded against Arjuna, that foremost of victorious warriors.
Indeed, Drona’s son rushed, shaking his formidable bow, and
taking with him many terrible arrows like the Sun himself
appearing with his own rays. With mouth wide open from rage
and with the desire to retaliate, and with red eyes, the mighty
Ashvatthama looked formidable like death himself, armed with
his mace and filled with wrath as at the end of the Yuga. He then
shot showers of fierce shafts. With those shafts sped by him, he
began to rout the Pandava army. As soon as he beheld him of
Dasharha’s race (Keshava) on the car, O king, he once more sped
at him, and repeated showers of fierce shafts. With those falling
shafts, O monarch, sped by Drona’s son, both Krishna and
Dhananjaya were completely shrouded on the car. Then the
valiant Ashvatthama, with hundreds of keen arrows, stupefied
both Madhava and the son of Pandu in that battle. Beholding those
two protectors of all mobile and immobile creatures thus covered
with arrows, the universe of mobile and immobile beings uttered
cries of “Oh!” and “Alas!” Crowds of Siddhas and Charanas
began to repair to that spot from every side, mentally uttering this
prayer, viz., “Let good be to all the worlds.” Never before, O king,
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did I see prowess like that of Drona’s son in that battle while he
was engaged in shrouding the two Krishnas with shafts. The
sound of Ashvatthama’s bow, inspiring foes with terror, was
repeatedly heard by us in that battle, O king, to resemble that of a
roaring lion. While careering in that battle and striking right and
left the string of his bow looked beautiful like flashes of lightning
in the midst of a mass of clouds. Though endued with great
firmness and lightness of hand the son of Pandu, for all that,
beholding the son of Drona then, became greatly stupefied.
Indeed, Arjuna then regarded his own prowess to be destroyed by
his high-souled assailant. The form of Ashvatthama became such
in that battle that men could with difficulty gaze at it. During the
progress of that dreadful battle between Drona’s son and the
Pandava, during that time when the mighty son of Drona, O
monarch, thus prevailed over his antagonist and the son of Kunti
lost his energy, Krishna became filled with rage. Inspired with
wrath he drew deep breaths, O king, and seemed to burn with his
eyes both Ashvatthama and Phalguna as he looked at them
repeatedly. Filled with rage, Krishna addressed Partha in an
affectionate tone, saying, “This, O Partha, that I behold in battle
regarding thee, is exceedingly strange, since Drona’s son, O
Partha, surpasseth thee today! Hast thou not now the energy and
the might of thy arms thou hadst before? Hast thou not that
Gandiva still in thy hands, and dost thou not stay on thy car now?
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Are not thy two arms sound? Hath thy fist suffered any hurt? Why
is it then that I see the son of Drona prevail over thee in battle? Do
not, O Partha, spare thy assailant, regarding him as the son of thy
preceptor, O bull of Bharata’s race. This is not the time for
sparing him.” Thus addressed by Krishna, Partha speedily took up
four and ten broad-headed arrows at a time, when speed was of
the highest moment, and with them he cut off Ashvatthama’s bow
and standard and umbrella and banners and car and dart and mace.
With a few calf-toothed arrows he then deeply struck the son of
Drona in the latter’s shoulder. Thereupon overcome with a deep
swoon, Ashvatthama sat down, supporting himself on his
flagstaff. The latter’s driver then, O monarch, desirous of
protecting him from Dhananjaya, bore him away insensible and
thus deeply afflicted by the foe. Meanwhile that scorcher of foes,
viz., Vijaya, slaughtered thy troops by hundreds and thousands, in
the very sight of that hero, viz., thy son, O sire. Thus, O king, in
consequence of thy evil counsels, a cruel and awful destruction
and carnage commenced as thy warriors were engaged with the
enemy. Within a short time Vibhatsu routed the samsaptakas:
Vrikodara, the Kurus, and Vasusena, the Pancalas. During the
progress of the battle destructive of great heroes, there rose many
headless trunks all around. Meanwhile Yudhishthira, O chief of
the Bharatas, in great pain owing to his wounds, retreating about
two miles from the battle, rested himself for some time.’”
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340
57
“Sanjaya said, ‘Then Duryodhana, O chief of Bharatas, repairing

to Karna, said unto him as also unto the ruler of the Madras and
the other lords of Earth present there, these words, “Without
seeking hath this occasion arrived, when the gates of heaven have
become wide open. Happy are those Kshatriyas, O Karna, that
obtain such a battle. Brave heroes fighting in battle with brave
Kshatriyas equal to them in might and prowess, obtain great good,
O son of Radha. The occasion that hath come is even such. Either
let these brave Kshatriyas, slaying the Pandavas in battle, obtain
the broad Earth, or let them, slain in battle by the foe, win the
blessed region reserved for heroes.” Hearing these words of
Duryodhana, those bulls among Kshatriyas cheerfully uttered loud
shouts and beat and blew their musical instruments. When
Duryodhana’s force became thus filled with joy, the son of Drona,
gladdening all thy warriors further said, “In the very sight of all
the troops, and before the eyes of you all, my father after he had
laid aside his weapons, was slain by Dhrishtadyumna. By that
wrath which such an act might kindle, and for the sake also of my
friend, ye kings, I swear truly before you all. Listen then to that
oath of mine. Without slaying Dhrishtadyumna I shall not doff my
armour. If this vow of mine be not fulfilled, let me not go to
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heaven. Be it Arjuna, be it Bhimasena, or be it anybody else,

whoever will come against me I will crush him or all of them.
There is no doubt in this.” After Ashvatthama had uttered these
words, the entire Bharata army, united together, rushed against the
Pandavas, and the latter also rushed against the former. The
collision of brave leaders of car-divisions, O Bharata, became
exceedingly awful. A destruction of life then set in at the van of
the Kurus and the Srinjayas, that resembled what takes place at
the last great universal dissolution. Upon the commencement of
that passage-at-arms, various (superior) beings, with the gods,
came there accompanied by the Apsaras, for beholding those
foremost of men. Filled with joy, the Apsaras began to cover those
foremost of men devoted to the duties of their order, with celestial
garlands, with diverse kinds of celestial perfumes, and with
diverse species of gems. Soft winds bore those excellent odours to
the nostrils of all the foremost of warriors. Having smelt those
perfumes in consequence of the action of the wind, the warriors
once more engaged in battle, and striking one another began to
fall down on the Earth. Strewn with celestial flowers, with
beautiful shafts equipped with wings of gold, and with many
foremost of warriors, the Earth looked beautiful like the
firmament bespangled with myriads of stars. Then in consequence
of cheers coming from the welkin and the noise of musical
instruments, the furious passage-at-arms distinguished by twang
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of bows and clatter of car-wheels and shouts of warriors became

exceedingly fierce.’”
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58
“Sanjaya said, ‘Thus raged that great battle between those lords of
Earth when Arjuna and Karna and Bhimasena, the son of Pandu
became angry. Having vanquished the son of Drona, and other
great car-warriors, Arjuna, O king, addressing Vasudeva, said,
“Behold, O Krishna of mighty arms, the Pandava army is flying
away. Behold, Karna is slaying our great car-warriors in this
battle. I do not, O thou of Dasaratha’s race, see king Yudhishthira
the just. Nor is the standard of Dharma’s son, foremost of
warriors, visible. The third part of the day still remaineth,
Janardana. No one amongst the Dhartarashtras cometh against me
for fight. For doing, therefore, what is agreeable to me, proceed
to the spot where Yudhishthira is. Beholding Dharma’s son safe
and sound with his younger brothers in battle, I will again fight
with the foe, O thou of Vrishni’s race.” At these words of
Vibhatsu, Hari (Krishna) quickly proceeded on that car to that
spot where king Yudhishthira, along with the mighty Srinjaya car-
warriors of great strength, were fighting with the foe, making
death their goal. During the progress of that great carnage,
Govinda, beholding the field of battle, addressed Savyasaci,
saying, “Behold, O Partha, how great and awful is this carnage, O
Bharata, of Kshatriyas on Earth for the sake of Duryodhana.
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Behold, O Bharata, the gold-backed bows of slain warriors, as

also their costly quivers displaced from their shoulders. Behold
those straight shafts equipped with wings of gold, and those
clothyard arrows washed with oil and looking like snakes freed
from their sloughs. Behold, O Bharata, those scimitars, decked
with gold, and having ivory handles, and those displaced shields
embossed with gold. Behold those lances decked with gold, those
darts having golden ornaments, and those huge maces twined
round with gold. Behold those swords adorned with gold, those
axes with golden ornaments, and the heads of those battle-axes
fallen off from their golden handles. Behold those iron Kuntas,
those short clubs exceedingly heavy, those beautiful rockets, those
huge bludgeons with spiked heads, those discs displaced from the
arms of their wielders, and those spears (that have been used) in
this dreadful battle. Endued (while living) with great activity,
warriors that came to battle, having taken up diverse weapons, are
lying, though deprived of life, as if still alive. Behold, thousands
of warriors lying on the field, with limbs crushed by means of
maces, or heads broken by means of heavy clubs, or torn and
mangled by elephants and steeds and cars. The field of battle is
covered with shafts and darts and swords and axes and scimitars
and spiked maces and lances and iron Kuntas and battle-axes, and
the bodies of men and steeds and elephants, hacked with many
wounds and covered with streams of blood and deprived of life, O
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slayer of foes. The Earth looks beautiful, O Bharata, with arms

smeared with sandal, decked with Angadas of gold and with
Keyuras, and having their ends cased in leathern fences. With
hands cased in leathern fences, with displaced ornaments, with
severed thighs looking like elephants’ trunks of many active
warriors, with fallen heads, decked with costly gems and earrings,
of heroes having large expansive eyes, the Earth looks
exceedingly beautiful. With headless trunks smeared all over with
blood with severed limbs and heads and hips, the Earth looks, O
best of the Bharatas, like an altar strewn with extinguished fires.
Behold those beautiful cars with rows of golden bells, broken in
diverse ways, and those slain steeds lying scattered on the field,
with arrows yet sticking to their bodies. Behold those bottoms of
cars, those quivers, those banners, those diverse kinds of
standards, those gigantic conchs of car-warriors, white in hue and
scattered all over the field. Behold those elephants, huge as hills,
lying on the Earth, with tongues lolling out, and those other
elephants and steeds, deprived of life and decked with triumphal
banners. Behold those housings of elephants, and those skins and
blankets, and those other beautiful and variegated and torn
blankets. Behold those rows of bells torn and broken in diverse
ways in consequence of falling elephants of gigantic size, and
those beautiful goads set with stones of lapis lazuli, and those
hooks falling upon the ground. Behold those whips, adorned with
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gold, and variegated with gems, still in the grasp of (slain)

horsemen, and those blankets and skins of the Ranku deer falling
on the ground but which had served for seats on horse back.
Behold those gems for adorning the diadems of kings, and those
beautiful necklaces of gold, and those displaced umbrellas and
yak-tails for fanning. Behold the Earth, miry with blood, strewn
with the faces of heroes, decked with beautiful earrings and well-
cut beards and possessed of the splendour of the moon and stars.
Behold those wounded warriors in whom life is not yet extinct and
who, lying all around, are uttering wails of woe. Their relatives, O
prince, casting aside their weapons are tending them, weeping
incessantly. Having covered many warriors with arrows and
deprived them of life, behold those combatants, endued with
activity longing for victory, and swelling with rage, are once more
proceeding for battle against their antagonists. Others are running
hither and thither on the field. Being begged for water by fallen
heroes, others related to them have gone in quest of drink. Many,
O Arjuna, are breathing their last meanwhile. Returning their
brave relatives, seeing them become senseless are throwing down
the water they brought and are running wildly, shouting at one
another. Behold, many have died after having slaked their thirst,
and many, O Bharata, are dying while drinking. Others, though
affectionate towards relatives, are still seen to rush towards foes in
great battle deserting their dear relatives. Others, again, O best of
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men, biting their nether lips, and with faces rendered terrible in
consequence of the contraction of their brows, are surveying the
field all around.” While saying these words unto Arjuna,
Vasudeva proceeded towards Yudhishthira. Arjuna also,
beholding the king in that great battle, repeatedly urged Govinda,
saying, “Proceed, Proceed.” Having shown the field of battle to
Partha, Madhava, while proceeding quickly, slowly said unto
Partha once more, “Behold those kings rushing towards king
Yudhishthira. Behold Karna, who resembles a blazing fire, on the
arena of the battle. Yonder the mighty-bowman Bhima is
proceeding to battle. They that are the foremost among the
Pancalas, the Srinjayas, and the Pandavas—they, that is, that have
Dhrishtadyumna for their head, are following Bhima. The vast
army of the enemy is again broken by the rushing Parthas. Behold,
O Arjuna, Karna is trying to rally the flying Kauravas.
Resembling the Destroyer himself in impetuosity and Indra
himself in prowess, yonder proceedeth Drona’s son, O thou of
Kuru’s race, that hero who is the foremost of all wielders of
weapons. The mighty carwarrior Dhrishtadyumna is rushing
against that hero. The Srinjayas are following the lead of
Dhristadyumna. Behold, the Srinjayas are falling.” Thus did the
invincible Vasudeva describe everything unto the diadem-decked
Arjuna. Then, O king, commenced a terrible and awful battle.
Loud leonine shouts arose as the two hosts encountered each
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other, O monarch, making death their goal. Even thus, O king, in

consequence of thy evil counsels, did that destruction set in on
Earth, O lord of Earth, of both thy warriors and those of the
enemy.’”
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59
“Sanjaya said, ‘Then the Kurus and the Srinjayas once more
fearlessly encountered each other in battle, the Parthas being
headed by Yudhishthira, and ourselves headed by the Suta’s son.
Then commenced a terrible battle, making the hair to stand on
end, between Karna and the Pandavas, that increased the
population of Yama’s kingdom. After that furious battle,
producing rivers of blood, had commenced, and when a remnant
only of the brave samsaptakas, O Bharata, were left
unslaughtered, Dhrishtadyumna, O monarch, with all the kings
(on the Pandava side) and those mighty car-warriors—the
Pandavas themselves, all rushed against Karna only. Like the
mountain receiving a vast body of water, Karna, unaided by
anyone, received in that battle all those advancing warriors filled
with joy and longing for victory. Those mighty car-warriors
encountering Karna, were beat off and broken like a mass of
water, and beat back on all sides when it encounters a mountain.
The battle, however, that took place between them and Karna
made the hair stand on end. Then Dhrishtadyumna assailed the
son of Radha with a straight shaft in that battle, and addressing
him said, “Wait, Wait.” The mighty car-warrior Karna, filled with
rage, shook his foremost of bows called Vijaya, and cutting off the
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bow of Dhrishtadyumna, as also his arrows resembling snakes of

virulent poison assailed Dhrishtadyumna himself with nine
arrows. Those arrows, O sinless one, piercing through the gold-
decked armour of the high-souled son of Prishata, became bathed
in blood and looked beautiful like so many cochineal. The mighty
car-warrior Dhrishtadyumna, casting aside that broken bow, took
up another bow and a number of shafts resembling snakes of
virulent poison. With those straight shafts numbering seventy, he
pierced Karna. Similarly, O king, Karna, in that battle, covered
Prishata’s son, that scorcher of foes, with many shafts resembling
snakes of virulent poison. The slayer of Drona, that great
bowman, retaliated by piercing Karna with many keen shafts.
Filled with rage, Karna then, O monarch, sped at his antagonist a
gold-decked shaft that resembled a second rod of death. That
terrible shaft, O monarch, as it coursed impetuously towards
Prishata’s son, the grandson of Sini, O king, cut off into seven
fragments, displaying great lightness of hand. Beholding his shaft
baffled by the arrows of Satyaki, O king, Karna resisted Satyaki
with showers of arrows from every side. And he pierced Satyaki
in that encounter with seven clothyard shafts. The grandson of
Sini, however, pierced him in return with many arrows decked
with gold. The battle then that took place, O king, between those
two warriors was such as to fill both spectators and listeners with
fear. Though awful, soon it became beautiful and deserving
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objects of sight. Beholding the feats, in that encounter, of Karna

and the grandson of Sini, the hair of all the creatures there present
seemed to stand on end. Meanwhile the mighty son of Drona
rushed against Prishata’s son, that chastiser of foes and queller of
the prowess of all enemies. Filled with rage, Drona’s son, that
subjugator of hostile towns, addressing Dhrishtadyumna, said,
“Wait, wait, O slayer of a Brahmana, thou shalt not escape me
today with life.” Having said these words, that mighty car-warrior
of great lightness of hand striving resolutely, deeply pierced the
brave son of Prishata, who also strove to the utmost of his
prowess, with many keen and terrible shafts endued with great
impetuosity. As Drona (while alive), beholding the son of
Prishata, O sire, had become cheerless and regarded him as his
death, even so the son of Prishata, that slayer of hostile heroes,
beholding Drona’s son in that battle, now regarded him as his
death. Soon, however, remembering that he was unslayable in
battle by means of weapons, he rushed with great speed against
Drona’s son, like the Destroyer running against the Destroyer at
the time of the universal dissolution. Drona’s heroic son, however,
O monarch, beholding Dhrishtadyumna stationed before him,
drew deep breaths, in wrath, and rushed towards him. Both of
them were filled with great rage at the sight of each other. Endued
with great activity, the valiant son of Drona then, O monarch, said
these words unto Dhrishtadyumna staying not far from him, “O
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wretch amongst the Pancalas, I shall today despatch thee to Yama.

The sin thou hast committed before by slaying Drona will fill thee
today with regret, to thy great evil, if thou stayest in battle without
being protected by Partha, or if thou dost not fly away, O fool, I
tell thee truly.” Thus addressed, the valiant Dhrishtadyumna
replied, saying, “That same sword of mine which answered thy
sire, resolutely engaged in battle, will today answer this speech of
thine. If Drona could be slain by me, O thou that art a Brahmana
in name only, why should I not then, putting forth my prowess,
slay thee also in battle today?” Having said these words, the
wrathful commander of the Pandava forces, viz., the son of
Prishata, pierced Drona’s son with a keen arrow. Then Drona’s
son filled with great rage, shrouded every side of
Dhrishtadyumna, O king, in that battle, with straight arrows.
Shrouded with thousands of arrows, neither the welkin, nor the
points of the compass, nor the combatants all around, could, O
monarch, be any longer seen. Similarly, the son of Prishata, O
king, shrouded Drona’s son, that ornament of battle, with arrows,
in the very sight of Karna. The son of Radha, too, O monarch,
singly resisted the Pancalas and the Pandavas and the (five) sons
of Draupadi and Yudhamanyu and the mighty car-warrior Satyaki,
in consequence of which feat he became the cynosure of all eyes.
Then Dhrishtadyumna in that battle cut off the very tough and
formidable bow of Drona’s son, as also all his arrows resembling
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snakes of virulent poison. Drona’s son, however, with his arrows,

destroyed within the twinkling of an eye the bow, the dart, the
mace, the standard, the steeds, the driver, and the car of Prishata’s
son. Bowless and carless and steedless and driverless, the son of
Prishata then took up a huge scimitar and a blazing shield decked
with a hundred moons. Endued with great lightness of hand, and
possessed of mighty weapons, that mighty car-warrior, viz., the
heroic son of Drona, O king, quickly cut off, in that battle, with
many broad-headed arrows, those weapons also of
Dhrishtadyumna before the latter could come down from his car.
All this seemed exceedingly wonderful. The mighty car-warrior
Ashvatthama, however, though struggling vigorously, could not,
O chief of the Bharatas, slay the carless and steedless and bowless
Dhrishtadyumna, although pierced and exceedingly mangled with
many arrows. When, therefore, O king, the son of Drona found
that he could not slay his enemy with arrows, he laid aside his
bow and quickly proceeded towards the son of Prishata. The
impetuosity of that high-souled one, as he rushed towards his foe,
resembled that of Garuda swooping down for seizing a large
snake. Meanwhile Madhava, addressing Arjuna, said, “Behold, O
Partha, how the son of Drona is rushing with great speed towards
the car of Prishata’s son. Without doubt, he will slay the prince. O
mighty-armed one, O crusher of foes, rescue the son of Prishata,
who is now within the jaws of Drona’s son as if within the jaws of
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Death himself.” Having said these words, the valiant Vasudeva

urged the steeds towards that spot where Drona’s son was. Those
steeds, of the splendour of the moon, urged by Keshava,
proceeded towards the car of Drona’s son, devouring the very
skies. Beholding those two of great energy, viz., Krishna and
Dhananjaya, coming towards him, the mighty Ashvatthama made
great efforts for slaying Dhrishtadyumna soon. Seeing
Dhrishtadyumna dragged, O ruler of men by his enemy, the
mighty Partha sped many arrows at the son of Drona. Those
arrows, decked with gold and sped from Gandiva, approached the
son of Drona and pierced him deeply like snakes penetrating into
an ant-hill. Thus pierced with those terrible arrows, the valiant son
of Drona, O king, abandoned the Pancala prince of immeasurable
energy. Indeed, the hero, thus afflicted with Dhananjaya’s shafts,
mounted on his car, and taking up his own excellent bow, began
to pierce Partha with many shafts. Meanwhile, the heroic
Sahadeva, O ruler of men, bore away on his car the son of
Prishata, that scorcher of foes. Arjuna then, O king, pierced
Drona’s son with many arrows. Filled with rage, Drona’s son
struck Arjuna in the arms and the chest. Thus provoked, Partha, in
that battle, sped at Drona’s son, a long shaft that resembled a
second rod of Death, or rather, Death himself. That arrow of great
splendour fell upon the shoulder of the Brahmana hero.
Exceedingly agitated, O monarch, in that battle, by the violence of
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the stroke, he sat down on the terrace of his car and swooned
away. Then Karna, O monarch, shook his bow Vijaya and, filled
with rage, repeatedly eyed Arjuna in that battle, desiring a single
combat with him. Meanwhile the driver of Drona’s son, beholding
the latter senseless, quickly bore him away on his car from the
field of battle. Beholding Prishata’s son rescued and Drona’s son
afflicted, the Pancalas, O king, expectant of victory, began to utter
loud shouts. Thousands of sweet instruments began to be sounded.
Seeing such wonderful feats in battle, the combatants uttered
leonine roars. Having achieved that feat, Partha addressed
Vasudeva, saying “Proceed, O Krishna, towards the samsaptakas,
for this is greatly desired by me.” Hearing those words of Pandu’s
son, he of Dasharha’s race proceeded on that car graced with
many banners and whose speed resembled that of the wind or the
mind.’”
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60
“Sanjaya said, ‘Meanwhile Krishna, pointing out king

Yudhishthira the just, unto Kunti’s son Partha, addressed him in
these words: “Yonder, O son of Pandu, your brother
(Yudhishthira) is being pursued by many mighty and great
bowmen amongst the Dhartarashtras, all inspired with the desire
of slaughtering him. The mighty Pancalas, difficult of defeat in
battle, are proceeding after the high-souled Yudhishthira from
desire of rescuing him. Yonder, Duryodhana, O Partha, the king
of the whole world, clad in mail and accompanied by a large car
force, is pursuing the Pandava king. Impelled by the desire of
slaughtering his rival, the mighty Duryodhana, O tiger among
men, is pursuing him, accompanied by his brothers, the touch of
whose weapons is as fatal as that of poisonous snakes and who are
all conversant with every mode of warfare. Those Dhartarashtra
elephants and horses and car-warriors and foot-soldiers are
advancing to seize Yudhishthira like poor men after a precious
gem. Behold, checked by Satyaki and Bhima, they have again
been stupefied, like the Daityas, that desired to take away the
Amrita, made motionless by Sakra and Agni. The mighty car-
warriors (of the Kuru army), however, in consequence of the
vastness of their numbers, are again proceeding towards
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Yudhishthira like a vast quantity of water in the season of rains

rushing towards the ocean. Those mighty bowmen are uttering
leonine roars, blowing their conchs, and shaking their bows. I
regard Kunti’s son Yudhishthira, thus brought under the influence
of Duryodhana, to be already within the jaws of Death or already
poured as a libation on the sacrificial fire. The army of
Dhritarashtra’s son, O Pandava, is arrayed and equipped duly.
Sakra himself, coming within the range of its arrows, can scarcely
escape. Who will in battle bear the impetuosity of the heroic
Duryodhana who shoots showers of arrows with the greatest
celerity and who, when angry, resembles the Destroyer himself?
The force of the heroic Duryodhana’s shafts, or Drona’s son’s or
Kripa’s or Karna’s would break down the very mountains. That
scorcher of foes, viz., king Yudhishthira, was once compelled by
Karna to turn his back upon the field. The son of Radha is endued
with great might and great lightness of hand. Possessed of great
skill, he is accomplished in battle. He is competent to afflict the
eldest son of Pandu in fight, specially when he is united with the
mighty and brave son of Dhritarashtra. Of rigid vows, when the
son of Pritha (Yudhishthira) had been engaged in battle with all
those warriors, other great car-warriors had struck him and
contributed to his defeat. The king, O best of the Bharatas, is
exceedingly emaciated in consequence of his fasts. He is endued
with Brahma-force, but the puissant one is not endued with much
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of Kshatriya-might. Assailed, however, by Karna, the royal son of

Pandu, Yudhishthira, that scorcher of foes, hath been placed in a
situation of great peril. I think, O Partha, that king Yudhishthira
has fallen. Indeed, since that chastiser of foes, the wrathful
Bhimasena, coolly heareth the leonine roars of the frequently
shouting Dhartarashtra’s longing for victory and blowing their
conchs, I think, O bull among men, that Pandu’s son Yudhishthira
is dead. Yonder Karna urges forward the mighty car-warriors of
the Dhartarashtras towards the son of Pritha with the weapons
called Sthunakarna, Indrasjaha and Pasupata, and with clubs and
other weapons. The king, O Bharata, must be deeply afflicted and
exceedingly weakened, because the Pancalas and the Pandavas,
those foremost of all wielders of weapons, are seen to proceed
with great speed towards him at a time when speed is of the
highest moment like strong men rushing to the rescue of a person
sinking in a bottomless sea. The king’s standard is no longer
visible. It has probably been struck down by Karna with his shafts.
In the very sight of the twins, O Partha, and of Satyaki and
Shikhandi, and Dhrishtadyumna and Bhima and Satanika, O lord,
as also of all the Pancalas and the Cedis, O Bharata, yonder Karna
is destroying the Pandava division with his arrows, like an
elephant destroying an assemblage of lotuses. There, those car-
warriors of thy army, O son of Pandu, are flying away. See, see, O
Partha, how those great warriors are retreating. Those elephants,
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O Bharata, assailed by Karna in battle, are flying away in all

directions, uttering cries of pain. There those crowds of car-
warriors, routed in battle, O Partha, by Karna, that crusher of foes,
are flying away in all directions. Behold, O Partha, that foremost
of standards, of the Suta’s son, on his car, bearing the device of
the elephant’s rope, is seen to move all over the field. There, the
son of Radha is now rushing against Bhimasena, scattering
hundreds of shafts as he proceeds and slaughtering thy army
therewith. There, those mighty car-warriors of the Pancalas are
being routed (by Karna) even as the Daityas had been routed by
Sakra in dreadful battle. There, Karna, having vanquished the
Pancalas, the Pandus, and the Srinjayas, is casting his eyes on all
sides, I think, for seeking thee. Behold, O Partha, Karna, as he
beautifully draws his foremost of bows, looketh exceedingly
beautiful even as Sakra in the midst of the celestials, after
vanquishing his foes. There the Kauravas, beholding the prowess
of Karna, are roaring and inspiring the Pandus and the Srinjayas
with fear on every side. There, Karna himself, terrifying the
Pandus with his whole soul, in dreadful battle, is addressing all the
troops, O giver of honours, saying, ‘Blessed be ye, advance, ye
Kauravas and rush with such speed that no Srinjaya may, in this
battle escape with life. United together, do this all of you. As
regards ourselves, we will follow behind you.’ Saying these
words, he is advancing behind (his troops), scattering his shafts.
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Behold Karna, adorned with his white umbrella in this battle and
looking like the Udaya hills adorned by the moon. With his
beautiful umbrella of a hundred ribs, resembling the moon in full,
held over his head, O Bharata, in this battle, Karna, O prince, is
casting his glances after thee. Without doubt, he will, in this
battle, come hither, with great speed. Behold him, O mighty-
armed one, as he shaketh his formidable bow and shooteth, in this
dreadful battle, his shafts resembling snakes of virulent poison.
There, the son of Radha turneth towards this direction, beholding
thy banner bearing the ape, and desiring, O Partha, an encounter
with thee, O scorcher of foes. Indeed, he cometh for his own
destruction, even like an insect into the mouth of a lamp. Wrathful
and brave, he is ever engaged in the good of Dhritarashtra’s son.
Of wicked understanding, he is always unable to put up with thee.
Beholding Karna alone and unsupported, Dhritarashtra’s son, O
Bharata, turneth towards him with great resolution, accompanied
by his car-force, for protecting him. Let that wicked-souled one,
along with all those allies of his, be slain by thee, putting forth thy
vigour, from desire of winning fame, kingdom and happiness.
Both of you are endued with great strength. Both of you are
possessed of great celebrity. When encountering each other in
battle, O Partha, like a celestial and a Danava in the great battle
between the gods and the Asuras, let all the Kauravas behold thy
prowess. Beholding thee filled with great rage and Karna also
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excited to fury, O bull of Bharata’s race, Duryodhana in wrath

will not be able to do anything. Remembering thyself to be of
purified soul, O bull of Bharata’s race, and remembering also that
the son of Radha harboureth a great animosity for the virtuous
Yudhishthira, achieve that, O son of Kunti, which should now be
achieved. Righteously setting thy heart on battle, advance against
that leader of car-warriors. There, five hundred foremost of car-
warriors, O thou best of car-warriors, that are endued with great
might and fierce energy, and 5,000 elephants, and twice as many
horses, and innumerable foot-soldiers, all united together, O son
of Kunti, and protecting one another, O hero, are advancing
against thee. Show thyself, of thy own will, unto that great
bowman, viz., the Suta’s son. Advance, O bull of Bharata’s race,
towards him with great speed. There, Karna, filled with great
wrath is rushing against the Pancalas. I see his standard
approaching towards the car of Dhrishtadyumna. I think he will
exterminate the Pancalas. I will tell thee, O bull of Bharata’s race,
some good news, O Partha. King Yudhishthira the just is living.
There, the mighty-armed Bhima, having returned, is stationed at
the head of the army, supported by the Srinjayas and by Satyaki,
O Bharata. There, the Kauravas are being slaughtered with keen
shafts by Bhimasena, O son of Kunti, and the high-souled
Pancalas. The troops of Dhritarashtra’s son, with their faces
turned from the field, and with blood streaming down from their
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wounds, are speedily flying away from battle, struck by Bhima

with his shafts. Bathed in blood, the Bharata army, O chief of
Bharata’s race, presents an exceedingly cheerless aspect like that
of the Earth when divested of crops. Behold, O son of Kunti,
Bhimasena, that foremost of combatants, filled with rage like a
snake of virulent poison, and engaged in routing the (Kaurava)
host. Yellow and red and black and white banners, adorned with
stars and moons and suns as also many umbrellas, O Arjuna, lie
scattered about. Made of gold or silver or brass and other metals,
standards are lying about, and elephants and steeds also, scattered
all over the field. There, those car-warriors are falling from their
cars, deprived of life by the unreturning Pancalas with shafts of
diverse kinds. There the Pancalas of great speed, O Dhananjaya,
are rushing against the riderless Dhartarashtra elephants and
steeds and cars. Reckless of their very lives, O chastiser of foes,
those warriors, difficult of defeat in battle aided by the might of
Bhimasena are crushing, O tiger among men, the hostile force.
There, the Pancalas are uttering loud roars and blowing their
conchs as they are rushing against their foes and crushing them
with their shafts in battle. Behold their great energy and power.
Through sheer valour, the Pancalas are slaughtering the
Dhartarashtras like angry lions slaying elephants. Unarmed they
are snatching the weapons of their armed foes and with those
weapons thus snatched, they are slaying their foes that are
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effectual smiters, and uttering loud roars. The heads and arms of
their foes are being struck off and felled on the field. The Pancala
cars and elephants and horses are all worthy of the highest praise.
Like swans of great speed leaving the Manasa lake and rushing
into the Ganga, the Pancalas are rushing against the Kauravas, and
every part of the vast Dhartarashtra force is assailed by them. Like
bulls resisting bulls, the heroic Kripa and Karna and other leaders
are putting forth all their valour for resisting the Pancalas. The
Pancala heroes headed by Dhrishtadyumna are slaying thousands
of their foes, viz., the great car-warriors of the Dhartarashtra army
already sinking in the ocean of Bhima’s weapons. Beholding the
Pancalas overwhelmed by their foes, the fearless son of the Wind-
god, assailing the hostile force, is shooting his shafts and uttering
loud roars. The greater portion of the vast Dhartarashtra army has
become exceedingly frightened. Behold those elephants, pierced
by Bhima with his cloth-yard shafts, are falling down like
mountain summits riven by the thunderbolt of Indra. There, those
huge elephants, deeply pierced with the straight shafts of
Bhimasena are flying away, crushing their own ranks. Dost thou
not recognise the unbearable leonine shouts, O Arjuna, of the
terribly-roaring Bhimasena inspired with desire of victory in
battle? There, the prince of the Nishadas, filled with rage, is
coming against the son of Pandu, on his foremost of elephants,
from desire of slaying him with his lances, even like Destroyer
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himself armed with his bludgeon. Struck by Bhima with ten keen
cloth-yard shafts endued with the splendour of the fire or the Sun,
the two arms of the roaring prince, with lances in grasp, are
lopped off. Staying the prince, Bhima proceedeth against other
elephants looking like masses of blue clouds and ridden by riders
guiding them with skill. Behold those riders striking Vrikodara
with darts and lances in profusion. Slaying with his keen shafts
those elephants, seven at a time, their triumphal standards also, O
Partha, are cut down by thy elder brother. As regards those other
elephants, each of them is being slain with ten shafts by him. The
shouts of the Dhartarashtras are no longer heard, now that Bhima,
O bull of Bharata’s race, who is equal to Purandara himself, is
engaged in battle. Full three akshauhinis of Duryodhana’s soldiers
had been assembled together (in front of Bhima). They have all
been checked by that lion among men, Bhimasena, in wrath.’”
“Sanjaya continued, ‘Behold that feat, difficult of

accomplishment, achieved by Bhimasena. Arjuna, with his keen
shafts, destroyed the remnant of his foes. The mighty
samsaptakas, O lord, slaughtered in battle and routed (by Arjuna),
fled away in all directions, overcome with fear. Many amongst
them (that fell) became the guests of Shakra and attained to great
happiness. As regards Partha, that tiger among men, he continued,
with his straight shafts, to slaughter the Dhartarashtra host
consisting of four kinds of forces.’”
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“Dhritarashtra said, ‘When Bhima and Pandu’s son Yudhishthira

were engaged in battle, when my troops were being slaughtered
by the Pandus and the Srinjayas, when, indeed, my vast army
being broken and routed repeatedly became cheerless, tell me, O
Sanjaya, what the Kauravas did.’
“Sanjaya said, ‘Beholding the mighty-armed Bhima, the Suta’s

son of great valour, with eyes red in wrath, O king, rushed
towards him. Seeing thy army fly away from Bhimasena, the
mighty Karna, O king, rallied it with great efforts. The mighty-
armed Karna, having rallied thy son’s host, proceeded against the
Pandavas, those heroes difficult of defeat in battle. The great car-
warriors of the Pandavas also, shaking their bows and shooting
their shafts, proceeded against the son of Radha. Bhimasena, and
the grandson of Sini, and Shikhandi and Janamejaya, and
Dhrishtadyumna of great strength, and all the Prabhadrakas, and
those tigers among men, the Pancalas, filled with rage and
inspired with desire of victory, rushed in that battle from every
side against thy army. Similarly, the great car-warriors of thy
army, O king, quickly proceeded against the Pandava host,
desirous of slaughtering it. Teeming with cars and elephants and
horses, and abounding with foot-soldiers and standards, the two
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armies then, O tiger among men, assumed a wonderful aspect.

Shikhandi proceeded against Karna, and Dhrishtadyumna
proceeded against thy son Duhshasana, accompanied by a large
force. Nakula proceeded against Vrishasena, while Yudhishthira
against Citrasena. Sahadeva, O king, in that battle, proceeded
against Uluka. Satyaki proceeded against Shakuni, and the sons of
Draupadi against the other Kauravas. The mighty car-warrior
Ashvatthama proceeded, with great care, against Arjuna.
Sharadvata’s son Kripa proceeded against the mighty bowman
Yudhamanyu, while Kritavarma of great strength proceeded
against Uttamauja. The mighty-armed Bhimasena, O sire, alone
and unsupported, resisted all the Kurus and thy sons at the head of
their division. The slayer of Bhishma, Shikhandi, then, O
monarch, with his winged arrows, resisted Karna, careering
fearlessly in that battle. Held in check, Karna then, his lips
trembling in rage, assailed Shikhandi with three arrows in the
midst of his eyebrows. With those three arrows sticking on his
forehead, Shikhandi looked highly beautiful like a silver mountain
with three elevated crests. Deeply pierced by the Suta’s son in that
encounter, the mighty bowman Shikhandi pierced Karna, in
return, with ninety keen shafts. The mighty car-warrior Karna
then, slaying Shikhandi’s steeds and next his driver with three
arrows, cut off his standard with a razor-faced arrow. That mighty
car-warrior then, that scorcher of foes, filled with rage, jumped
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down from his steedless car and hurled a dart at Karna. Cutting off
that dart with three shafts in that encounter, Karna then, O
Bharata, pierced Shikhandi with nine keen arrows. Avoiding then
the shafts sped from Karna’s bow, that best of men, Shikhandi,
exceedingly mangled, retreated speedily from that spot. Then
Karna, O monarch, began to scatter the troops of the Pandavas,
like a mighty wind scattering a heap of cotton. Meanwhile
Dhrishtadyumna, O monarch, afflicted by thy son, pierced
Duhshasana, in return, with three arrows in the centre of the chest.
Then Duhshasana, O sire, pierced his assailant’s left arm with a
broad-headed shaft, sharp and straight and equipped with wings of
gold. Thus pierced, Dhrishtadyumna, filled with wrath and the
desire to retaliate, sped a terrible shaft, O Bharata, at Duhshasana.
Thy son, however, O king, with three shafts of his, cut off that
impetuous arrow sped by Dhrishtadyumna as it coursed towards
him. Approaching Dhrishtadyumna then, he struck him in the
arms and the chest with seventeen other broad-headed shafts
adorned with gold. Thereat Prishata’s son, filled with rage, cut off
Duhshasana’s bow, O sire, with a sharp razor-headed arrow, at
which all the troops there uttered a loud shout. Taking up then
another bow, thy son, as if smiling, held Dhrishtadyumna in check
with showers of arrows from every side. Beholding the prowess of
that high-souled son of thine, the combatants, as also the siddhas
and the apsaras, became all filled with wonder. We then saw the
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mighty Dhrishtadyumna thus assailed by Duhshasana to resemble

a huge elephant, held in check by a lion. Then many Pancala car-
warriors and elephants and horses, O elder brother of Pandu,
desirous of rescuing the commander (of the Pandava army)
encompassed thy son. The battle that commenced, O scorcher of
foes, between thy warriors and the enemy, presented as frightful a
sight as that which may be seen at the destruction of all creatures
at the end of the Yuga.
“’Vrishasena, staying by the side of his father, having pierced

Nakula with five arrows made wholly of iron, pierced him once
again with three other arrows. The heroic Nakula then, as if
smiling, deeply pierced Vrishasena in the chest with a cloth-yard
shaft of great keenness. Thus pierced by his mighty foe, that
scorcher of foes, viz., Vrishasena, pierced his assailant with
twenty arrows and was himself pierced by him with five. Then
those two bulls among men shrouded each other with thousands of
arrows, at which the divisions that supported them broke.
Beholding the troops of Dhritarashtra’s son flying away, the
Suta’s son, following them, O king, began to forcibly stop them.
After Karna had gone away, Nakula proceeded against the
Kauravas. Karna’s son also, avoiding Nakula, proceeded quickly,
O sire, to where his father, the son of Radha, was for protecting
his car-wheel.
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“’The angry Uluka was held in check by Sahadeva. Having slain

his four steeds, the valiant Sahadeva then despatched his foe’s
driver to the abode of Yama. Uluka then, that delighter of his
father, jumping down from his car, O king, quickly proceeded and
entered the division of the Trigartas. Satyaki, having pierced
Shakuni with twenty keen arrows, easily cut off the standard of
Subala’s son with a broad-headed arrow. The valiant son of
Subala, filled with rage, O king, in that encounter, pierced
Satyaki’s armour and then cut off his golden standard. Then
Satyaki pierced him in return with many keen arrows, and struck
his driver, O monarch, with three arrows. With great speed then,
he despatched with other shafts the steeds of Shakuni to Yama’s
abode. Speedily alighting then, O bull among men, from his car,
Shakuni, that mighty car-warrior, quickly ascended the car of
Uluka. The latter then bore away with great speed his father from
Sini’s grandson, that warrior skilled in battle. Then Satyaki, O
king, rushed in that battle against thy army with great impetuosity,
at which that army broke. Shrouded with the arrows of Sini’s
grandson, thy army, O monarch, fled away on all sides with great
speed, and fell down deprived of life.
“’Thy son resisted Bhimasena in that battle, in a trice Bhima made

that ruler of men steedless and driverless and carless and
standardless, at which the (Pandava) troops became highly glad.
Then thy son, O king, went away from Bhimasena’s presence. The
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whole Kuru army, at this, rushed against Bhimasena. Tremendous

became the din made by those combatants inspired with the desire
of slaying Bhimasena. Yudhamanyu, piercing Kripa, quickly cut
off his bow. Then Kripa, that foremost of all wielders of weapons,
taking up another bow, felled Yudhamanyu’s standard and driver
and umbrella on the Earth. At this, the mighty car-warrior
Yudhamanyu retreated on his car, driving it himself. Uttamauja
covered the terrible son of Hridika, endued with terrible prowess,
with a thick shower of arrows like a cloud pouring torrents of rain
on a mountain. The battle between them, O scorcher of foes,
became so awful that its like, O monarch, I had never seen before.
Then Kritavarma, O king, in that encounter, suddenly pierced
Uttamauja in the chest, at which the latter sat down on the terrace
of his car. His driver then bore away that foremost of car-warriors.
Then the whole Kuru army rushed at Bhimasena. Duhshasana and
Subala’s son, encompassing the son of Pandu with a large
elephant force, began to strike him with small arrows. Then
Bhima, causing the wrathful Duryodhana to turn his back on the
field by means of hundreds of arrows, quickly rushed towards that
elephant force. Beholding that elephant-force advance
impetuously against him, Vrikodara became filled with great rage
and invoked his celestial weapons. And he began to strike
elephants with elephants like Indra striking the Asuras. While
engaged in slaughtering those elephants, Vrikodara, in that battle,
372
covered the welkin with his shafts like myriads of insects covering
a fire. Like the wind scattering masses of clouds, Bhima quickly
scattered and destroyed crowds of elephants united together in
thousands. Covered all over with networks of gold, as also with
many gems, the elephants looked exceedingly beautiful in that
battle like clouds charged with lightning. Slaughtered by Bhima,
those elephants, O king, began to fly away. Some amongst them,
with their hearts pierced, fell down on the Earth. With those fallen
and failing elephants adorned with gold, the Earth looked
beautiful there, as if strewn with broken mountains. With the
fallen elephant-warriors of blazing resplendence and adorned with
gems, the Earth looked beautiful as if strewn with planets of
exhausted merit. Then elephants, with their temples, frontal
globes, and trunks deeply pierced, fled in hundreds in that battle,
afflicted with the shafts of Bhimasena. Some amongst them, huge
as hills, afflicted with fear and vomiting blood, ran away, their
limbs mangled with arrows, and looked on that account, like
mountains with liquid metals running down their sides. People
then beheld the two arms of Bhima, resembling two mighty
snakes, smeared with sandal-paste and other pounded unguents,
continually employed in drawing the bow. Hearing the sound of
his bow-string and palms that resembled the peal of thunder, those
elephants, ejecting urine and excreta, ran away in fear. The feats
of the single-handed Bhima of great intelligence, on that occasion,
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shone like those of Rudra, himself, while engaged in destroying

all creatures.’”
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62
“Sanjaya said, ‘The handsome Arjuna then, on that foremost car

of his, unto which were yoked white steeds, and which was urged
by Narayana himself, appeared on the scene. Like the tempest
agitating the ocean, Vijaya, O foremost of kings, in that battle,
agitated that host of thine teeming with horsemen. When the
white-steeded Arjuna was otherwise engaged, thy son
Duryodhana, filled with rage and surrounded by half his troops,
approached suddenly, and encompassed the advancing
Yudhishthira inspired with the desire of revenge. The Kuru king
then pierced the son of Pandu with three and seventy razor-headed
arrows. At this, Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, became inflamed
with ire, and quickly struck thy son with thirty broad-headed
arrows. The Kaurava troops then rushed impetuously for seizing
Yudhishthira. Understanding the wicked intentions of the enemy,
the great car-warriors of the Pandava army, uniting together,
rushed towards Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, for rescuing him.
Indeed, Nakula and Sahadeva and Dhrishtadyumna, the son of
Prishata, surrounded by a full Akshauhini of troops, thus
proceeded towards Yudhishthira. Bhimasena also, in that battle,
crushing the great car-warriors of thy army, proceeded towards
the king surrounded by foes. Karna, otherwise called Vaikartana,
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O king, shooting dense showers of arrows, checked, single-

handed, all those mighty bowmen thus advancing (to the rescue).
Though they shot dense showers of arrows and hurled
innumerable lances, fighting with determination, yet they were
unable even to look at the son of Radha. Indeed, the son of Radha,
that master of all weapons offensive and defensive, by shooting
dense showers of shafts checked all those great bowmen. The
high-souled Sahadeva, however, quickly approaching (the spot
where Duryodhana was), and invoking without loss of time a
(celestial) weapon, pierced Duryodhana with twenty arrows. Thus
pierced by Sahadeva, the Kuru king, covered with blood, looked
beautiful, like a huge elephant of split temples. Beholding thy son
deeply pierced with many arrows of great energy, that foremost of
car-warriors, viz., the son of Radha, filled with rage, rushed to that
spot. Seeing Duryodhana reduced to that plight, Karna, invoking
his weapons quickly, began to slaughter the troops of
Yudhishthira and Prishata’s son. Thus slaughtered by the high-
souled Karna, Yudhishthira’s troops, O king, afflicted with the
arrows of the Suta’s son, soon fled away. Showers of shafts fell
together. Indeed, those sped subsequently from the bow of the
Suta’s son touched with their heads the wings of those sped
before. In consequence of those falling showers, of shafts, O
monarch, colliding with one another, a conflagration seemed to
blaze forth in the welkin. Soon Karna shrouded the ten points of
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the compass, O king, with arrows capable of piercing the bodies

of foes, as if with advancing flights of locusts. Displaying the
highest weapons, Karna began to wave with great force his two
arms smeared with red sandal-paste and adorned with jewels and
gold. Then stupefying all sides, O king, with his shafts, Karna
deeply afflicted Yudhishthira the just. Filled with rage at this,
Dharma’s son Yudhishthira struck Karna with fifty keen shafts. In
consequence then of the darkness caused by those showers of
arrows, the battle became awful to look at. Loud cries of woe
arose from among thy troops, O monarch, whilst they were being
slaughtered by Dharma’s son, O sire, with diverse kinds of keen
shafts equipped with Kanka feathers and whetted on stone, with
numerous broad-headed arrows, and with diverse kinds of darts
and swords and clubs. Thither where Pandu’s son of virtuous soul
cast his eyes with the desire of producing evil, thither thy army
broke, O bull of Bharata’s race. Inflamed with great rage, Karna
also, of immeasurable soul, inspired with the desire of retaliating,
his face flushed in anger, rushed in that battle against Pandu’s son,
king Yudhishthira the just, shooting cloth-yard shafts and
crescent-shaped arrows and those equipped with heads like the
calf’s tooth. Yudhishthira also pierced him with many whetted
arrows equipped with wings of gold. As if smiling the while,
Karna pierced the royal son of Pandu in the chest with three
broad-headed arrows, whetted on stone, and equipped with Kanka
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feathers. Deeply afflicted therewith, king Yudhishthira the just,

sitting down on the terrace of his car, ordered his driver to retreat.
Thereupon all the Dhartarashtras, with their king, set up a loud
shout, saying, “Seize! Seize!” and all of them then pursued the
(Pandava) king. Then seventeen hundred Kekaya troops, skilled in
smiting, united with a body of the Pancala troops, O king, checked
the Dhartarashtras. During the progress of that fierce and terrible
battle, Duryodhana and Bhima, those two warriors endued with
great might, encountered each other.’”
378
63
“Sanjaya said, ‘Meanwhile Karna also began, with his arrowy

showers, to afflict the mighty car-warriors of the Kaikayas, viz.,
those great bowmen that stood before him. Indeed, the son of
Radha despatched to Yama’s abode full five hundred of those
warriors that were employed in checking him in that battle.
Beholding the son of Radha to be irresistible in that battle, those
warriors, afflicted with the arrows of their assailant, repaired to
the presence of Bhimasena. Breaking that car-force into many
parts by means of his arrows, Karna, singly and riding on that
same car of his, pursued Yudhishthira, who then, exceedingly
mangled with arrows and almost insensible, was proceeding
slowly for reaching the Pandava encampment with Nakula and
Sahadeva on his two sides. Having approached the king, the
Suta’s son, from desire of doing good to Duryodhana, pierced the
son of Pandu with three formidable arrows. In return, the king
pierced Radha’s son in the centre of the chest and then his driver
with three shafts. Then those two scorchers of foes, viz., the twin
sons of Madri, those two protectors of Yudhishthira’s car-wheels,
rushed towards Karna so that the latter might not succeed in
slaying the king. Then Nakula and Sahadeva, both shooting
showers of shafts with great care, covered the son of Radha
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therewith. The valiant son of the Suta, however, in return, pierced

those two high-souled chastisers of foes with two broad-headed
arrows of great sharpness. The son of Radha then slew
Yudhishthira’s excellent steeds, white as ivory and fleet as the
mind, and having black hair in their tails. Then, smiling the while,
the Suta’s son, that great bowman, with another broadheaded
shaft, felled the head-gear of Kunti’s son. Similarly, the valiant
Karna, having slain the steeds of Nakula, cut off the car shafts and
bow of that intelligent son of Madri. Those two steedless and
carless sons of Pandu,--those two brothers,--thereupon ascended
the car of Sahadeva. Beholding those two brothers made carless,
that slayer of hostile heroes, viz., their maternal uncle, the ruler of
the Madras, moved by compassion, addressed the son of Radha
and said, “Thou art to fight today with Pritha’s son Phalguna.
Why dost thou then, with rage inflamed to such a pitch, battle
with Dharma’s royal son? Thou art suffering thy weapons to be
exhausted. Thy own armour is being weakened. With thy shafts
reduced, and without quivers, with thy driver and steeds fatigued,
and thyself mangled by foes with weapons, when thou wilt
approach Partha, O son of Radha, thou wilt be an object of
derision and mirth.” Though thus addressed by the ruler of the
Madras, Karna still, filled with rage, continued to assail
Yudhishthira in battle. And he continued to pierce the two sons of
Madri by Pandu with many keen arrows. Smiling the while, by
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means of his shafts he made Yudhishthira turn his face from the
battle. Then Shalya, laughing, once more said unto Karna as the
latter, excited with great wrath and resolved upon Yudhishthira’s
destruction stood on his car, these words, “Him for whose sake
Dhritarashtra’s son always honours thee, slay that Partha, O son of
Radha. What wouldst thou gain by slaying Yudhishthira? The two
Krishnas are blowing their conchs, whose loud blare is being
heard. The twang also of Arjuna’s bow is being heard, like the
roar of the clouds in the season of rains. There, Arjuna, striking
down the foremost of our car-warriors with his arrowy down-
pours, is devouring all our troops. Behold him, O Karna, in this
battle. The two that are protecting his rear are Yudhamanyu and
Uttamauja. The brave Satyaki is protecting his left wheel, and
Dhrishtadyumna is protecting his right wheel. There, Bhimasena
is fighting with the royal son of Dhritarashtra. Act in such way, O
son of Radha, that Bhima may not be able to slay the king today in
the sight of us all,--that the king may, indeed, escape him. Behold,
Duryodhana is brought under the power of Bhimasena, that
ornament of battle. Approaching if thou canst rescue him, it will,
indeed, be a very wonderful feat. Going thither, rescue the king,
for a great peril has overtaken him. What wilt thou gain by slaying
the sons of Madri or king Yudhishthira?” Hearing these words of
Shalya, O lord of Earth, and beholding Duryodhana overpowered
by Bhima in that dreadful battle, the valiant son of Radha, thus
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urged by the words of Shalya and exceedingly desirous of

rescuing the king, left Ajatasatru and the twin sons of Madri by
Pandu, and rushed for rescuing thy son. He was borne by his
steeds that were fleet as birds and that were urged by the ruler of
the Madras. After Karna had gone away, Kunti’s son Yudhishthira
retreated, borne, O sire, by the fleet steeds of Sahadeva. With his
twin brothers accompanying him, that ruler of men, quickly
repairing in shame to the (Pandava) camp, his body exceedingly
mangled with shafts, alighted from the car and hastily sat down on
an excellent bed. The, arrows then being extracted from his body,
the royal son of Pandu, his heart exceedingly afflicted with
sorrow’s dart, addressed his two brothers, viz., those two mighty
car-warriors, the sons of Madri, saying, “Repair quickly to the
division of Bhimasena. Roaring like a cloud, Vrikodara is engaged
in battle.” Riding another car, Nakula, that bull among car-
warriors, and Sahadeva of great energy,--those two brothers, those
two crushers of foes,--both endued with great might, then
proceeded towards Bhima, borne by steeds of the utmost fleetness.
Indeed, the brothers having together repaired to Bhimasena’s
division, took up their places there.’”
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“Sanjaya said, ‘Meanwhile Drona’s son, surrounded by a large

car-force, O king, suddenly proceeded to that spot where Partha
was. Like the continent withstanding the surging ocean, the heroic
Partha having Saurin (Krishna) for his help-mate withstood the
impetuously rushing Ashvatthama. Then, O monarch, the valiant
son of Drona, filled with rage, covered both Arjuna and Vasudeva
with his shafts. Beholding the two Krishnas shrouded with arrows,
the great car-warriors (of the Pandava army), as also the Kurus
that witnessed it, wondered exceedingly. Then Arjuna, as if
smiling, invoked into existence a celestial weapon. The brahmana
Ashvatthama, however, O Bharata, baffled that weapon in that
battle. Indeed, all those weapons that Arjuna sped from desire of
slaying the son of Drona were baffled by the latter, that great
bowman, in that encounter. During the progress of that awful
encounter of weapons, O king, we beheld the son of Drona to
resemble the Destroyer himself, with gaping mouth. Having
covered all the points of the compass, cardinal and subsidiary,
with straight arrows, he pierced Vasudeva with three arrows in the
right arm. Then Arjuna, slaying all the steeds of his high-souled
assailant, caused the Earth in that battle to be covered with a river
of blood that was exceedingly awful that led towards the other
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world, and that had diverse kinds of creatures floating on it. All
the spectators beheld a large number of car-warriors along with
their cars, belonging to the division of Ashvatthama, slain and
destroyed by means of the arrows sped from Partha’s bow.
Ashvatthama also, slaying his enemies, caused a terrible river of
blood to flow there that led to Yama’s domains. During the
progress of that fierce and awful battle between Drona’s son and
Partha, the combatants fought without showing any regard for one
another, and rushed hither and thither. In consequence of cars
having their steeds and drivers slain, and steeds having their riders
slain, and elephants having their riders and guides slain, an awful
carnage, O king, was made by Partha in that battle! Car-warriors,
deprived of life with shafts sped from Partha’s bow, fell down.
Steeds freed from their trappings ran hither and thither. Beholding
those feats of Partha, that ornament of battle, that valiant son of
Drona quickly approached the former, that foremost of victorious
men, shook his formidable bow decked with gold, and then
pierced him from every side with many sharp arrows. Once more
bending the bow, O king, the son of Drona cruelly struck Arjuna,
aiming at the chest, with a winged arrow. Deeply pierced by
Drona’s son, O Bharata, in that encounter, the wielder of gandiva,
that hero of great intelligence forcibly covered the son of Drona
with showers of arrows, and then cut off his bow. His bow cut off
Drona’s son then, taking up a spiked mace whose touch resembled
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that of thunder’s, hurled it, in that encounter, at the diadem-

decked Arjuna. The son of Pandu, however, O king, as if smiling
the while, suddenly cut off that spiked mace decked with gold, as
it advanced towards him. Thus cut off with Partha’s shafts, it fell
down on the Earth, like a mountain, O king, broken into pieces,
struck with the thunderbolt. Filled with rage at this, Drona’s son,
that great car-warrior, began to cover Vibhatsu, aided by the
energy of the aindra weapon. Beholding that shower of arrows
spread over the welkin through the aindra weapon, Partha, endued
with great activity, O king, taking up his bow gandiva, and fixing
on his bowstring a mighty weapon created by Indra, destroyed that
aindra-shower of arrows. Having baffled that arrowy shower
caused by the aindra weapon, Partha soon covered the car of
Drona’s son (with his own arrows). The son of Drona, however,
overwhelmed with Partha’s shafts, penetrated through that shower
of arrows shot by the son of Pandu, and approaching the latter,
invoked a mighty weapon and suddenly pierced Krishna with
hundred shafts and Arjuna with three hundred small arrows. Then
Arjuna pierced the son of his preceptor with a hundred arrows in
all his vital limbs. And then he poured many arrows on the steeds
and driver and the bowstring of Drona’s son in the very sight of
thy warriors. Having pierced Drona’s son in every vital part,
Pandu’s son, that slayer of hostile heroes, then felled his
adversary’s driver from the car-niche with a broad-headed arrow.
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Drona’s son, however, himself, taking up the reins, covered

Krishna with many arrows. The activity of prowess that we then
beheld in Drona’s son was exceedingly wonderful, since he
guided his steeds while he fought with Phalguni. That feat of his
in battle, O king, was applauded by all the warriors. Then
Vibhatsu, otherwise called Jaya, smiling the while, quickly cut off
the traces of Ashvatthama’s steeds in that battle, with a razor-
faced arrow. Already afflicted by the energy of Arjuna’s shafts,
the steeds of Drona’s son thereupon ran away. Then a loud noise
arose from thy troops, O Bharata! Meanwhile the Pandavas,
having obtained the victory, and desiring to improve it, rushed
against thy troops, shooting from all sides sharp arrows at them.
The vast Dhartarashtra host, then, O king, was repeatedly broken
by the heroic Pandavas inspired with desire of victory, in the very
sight, O monarch, of thy sons, conversant with all modes of
warfare, and of, Shakuni the son of Subala, and of Karna, O king!
Though sought to be stopped, O king, by thy sons, that great
army, afflicted on all sides, stayed not on the field. Indeed, a
confusion set in among the vast terrified host of thy son in
consequence of many warriors flying away on all sides. The
Suta’s son loudly cried out, saying “Stay, Stay!” but thy army,
slaughtered by many high-souled warriors, did not stay on the
field. Loud shouts were uttered then, O monarch, by the Pandavas,
inspired with this desire of victory, on beholding the Dhartarashtra
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host flying away on all sides. Then Duryodhana addressing Karna

from affection, “Behold, O Karna, how our army, exceedingly
afflicted by the Pandavas, though thou art here, is flying away
from battle! Knowing this, O thou of mighty arms, do that which
is suited to the hour, O chastiser of foes! Thousands of (our)
warriors, routed by the Pandavas, are O hero, calling after thee
only, O best of men!” Hearing these grave words of Duryodhana,
the son of Radha, as if smiling, said these words unto the ruler of
the Madras, “Behold the prowess of my arms and the energy of
my weapons, O ruler of men! Today I will slay all the Pancalas
and the Pandavas in battle! Cause the steeds to proceed with my
car, O tiger among men! Without doubt, everything will be as I
have said!” Having said these words, the Suta’s son of great
valour, that hero, taking up his ancient and foremost of bows
called Vijaya, stringed it and rubbed the string repeatedly. Bidding
the troops stay on the field after having assured them upon his
truth and by an oath, the mighty Karna of immeasurable soul fixed
on his bow-string the weapon known by the name of Bhargava.
From that weapon flowed, O king, millions and millions of keen
arrows in that great battle. Entirely shrouded with those blazing
and terrible arrows winged with feathers of Kankas and peacocks,
the Pandava army could not see anything. Loud wails of woe
arose from among the Pancalas, O king, afflicted, in that battle,
with the mighty Bhargava weapon. In consequence then of
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elephants, O king, and steeds, by thousands, and cars, O monarch,

and men, falling on all sides, deprived of life, the Earth began to
tremble. The vast force of the Pandavas became agitated from one
extremity to another. Meanwhile Karna, that scorcher of foes, that
foremost of warriors, that tiger among men, while consuming his
foes, looked resplendent like a smokeless fire. Thus slaughtered
by Karna, the Pancalas and the Cedis began to lose their senses all
over the field like elephants during the conflagration in a forest.
Those foremost of men, O tiger among men, uttered loud roars
like those of the tiger. Loud became the wails of woe, like those of
living creatures at the universal dissolution that were uttered by
those crying combatants struck with panic and running wildly on
all sides, O king, of the field of battle and trembling with fear.
Beholding them thus slaughtered, O sire, by the Suta’s son, all
creatures, even beasts and birds, were filled with fear. The
Srinjayas then, thus slaughtered in battle by the Suta’s son,
repeatedly called upon Arjuna and Vasudeva like the spirits of the
dead within Yama’s dominions calling upon Yama to rescue
them. Hearing those wails of the troops slaughtered with Karna’s
shafts, and beholding the terrible bhargava weapon invoked into
existence Kunti’s son Dhananjaya said unto Vasudeva these
words, “Behold, O Krishna of mighty arms, the prowess of the
bhargava weapon! It cannot, by any means, be baffled! Behold the
Suta’s son also, O Krishna, filled with rage in this great battle and
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resembling the Destroyer himself, in prowess and employed in

achieving such a fierce feat! Urging his steeds incessantly, he is
repeatedly casting angry glances upon me! I will never be able to
fly away from Karna in battle! The person that is living, may, in
battle, meet with either victory or defeat. To the man, however,
that is dead, O Hrishikesha, even death is victory. How can defeat
be his that is dead?” Thus addressed by Partha, Krishna replied
unto that foremost of intelligent men and chastiser of foes, these
words that were suitable to the occasion, “The royal son of Kunti
hath been deeply wounded and mangled by Karna. Having seen
him first and comforted him, thou wilt then, O Partha, slay
Karna?” Then Keshava proceeded, desirous of beholding
Yudhishthira, thinking that Karna meanwhile, O monarch, would
be overwhelmed with fatigue! Then Dhananjaya, himself desirous
of beholding the king afflicted with arrows, quickly proceeded on
that car, avoiding the battle, at Keshava’s command. While the
son of Kunti was thus proceeding from desire of seeing king
Yudhishthira the just, he cast his eyes on every part of the army
but failed to find his eldest brother anywhere on the field. The son
of Kunti proceeded, O Bharata, having fought with the son of his
preceptor Drona, and having vanquished that hero incapable of
being resisted by the wielder of the thunderbolt himself.’”
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“Sanjaya said, ‘Having vanquished the son of Drona and achieved

a mighty and heroic feat that is exceedingly difficult of
accomplishment, Dhananjaya, irresistible by foes, and with bow
outstretched in his hands, cast his eyes among his own troops. The
brave Savyasaci, gladdening those warriors of his that were still
battling at the head of their divisions and applauding those among
them that were celebrated for their former achievements, caused
the carwarriors of his own army to continue to stand in their posts.
Not seeing his brother Yudhishthira of Ajamida’s race, the
diadem-decked Arjuna, adorned, besides, with a necklace of gold,
speedily approached Bhima and enquired of him the whereabouts
of the king, saying, “Tell me, where is the king?” Thus asked,
Bhima said, “King Yudhishthira the just, hath gone away from
this place, his limbs scorched with Karna’s shafts. It is doubtful
whether he still liveth!” Hearing those words, Arjuna said, “For
this reason go thou quickly from the spot for bringing intelligence
of the king, that best of all the descendants of Kuru! Without
doubt, deeply pierced by Karna with shafts, the king hath gone to
the camp! In that fierce passage at arms, though deeply pierced by
Drona with keen shafts, the king endued with great activity, had
still stayed in battle, expectant of victory, until Drona was slain!
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That foremost one among the Pandavas, possessed of great

magnanimity, was greatly imperilled by Karna in today’s battle!
For ascertaining his condition, quickly go hence, O Bhima! I will
stay here, checking all our foes!” Thus addressed, Bhima said, “O
thou of great glory, go thyself for ascertaining the condition of the
king, that bull amongst the Bharatas! If, O Arjuna, I go there,
many foremost of heroes will then say that I am frightened in
battle!” Then Arjuna said unto Bhimasena, “The samsaptakas are
before my division! Without slaying those assembled foes first, it
is impossible for me to stir from this place!’ Then Bhimasena said
unto Arjuna, ‘Relying upon my own might, O foremost one
among the Kurus, I will fight with all the samsaptakas in battle!
Therefore, O Dhananjaya, do thou go thyself!’”
“Sanjaya continued, ‘Hearing in the midst of foes, those words of

his brother Bhimasena that were difficult of accomplishment,
Arjuna, desiring to see the king, addressed the Vrishni hero,
saying, “Urge the steeds, O Hrishikesha, leaving this sea of
troops! I desire, O Keshava to see king Ajatasatru!’”
“Sanjaya continued, ‘Just as he was on the point of urging the

steeds, Keshava, that foremost one of the Dasharhas, addressed
Bhima, saying, “This feat is not at all wonderful for thee, O
Bhima! I am about to go (hence). Slay these assembled foes of
Partha!” Then Hrishikesha proceeded with very great speed to the
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spot where king Yudhishthira was, O king, borne by those steeds

that resembled Garuda, having stationed Bhima, that chastiser of
foes, at the head of the army and having commanded him, O
monarch, to fight (with the samsaptakas). Then those two
foremost of men, (Krishna and Arjuna), proceeding on their car,
approached the king who was lying alone on his bed. Both of
them, alighting from that car, worshipped the feet of king
Yudhishthira the just. Beholding that bull of tigers among men
safe and sound, the two Krishnas became filled with joy, like the
twin Ashvinis on seeing Vasava. The king then congratulated
them both like Vivasvat congratulating the twin Ashvinis, or like
Brihaspati congratulating Sankara and Vishnu after the slaughter
of the mighty asura Jambha. King Yudhishthira the just, thinking
that Karna had been slain, became filled with joy, and that
scorcher of foes thereupon addressed them in these words in a
voice choked with delight.’”
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“’Yudhishthira said, “Welcome, O thou that hast Devaki for thy

mother, and welcome to thee, O Dhananjaya! The sight of both of
you, O Acyuta and Arjuna, is exceedingly agreeable! I see that
without being wounded yourselves, you two, his foes, have slain
the mighty car-warrior Karna! He was in battle like unto a snake
of virulent poison. He was accomplished in all weapons. The
leader of all the Dhartarashtras, he was their armour and protector!
While fighting he was always protected by Vrishasena and by
Sushena, both of whom are great bowmen! Of great energy, he
had received lessons from Rama in weapons! He was invincible in
battle! The foremost one in all the world, as a car-warrior he was
celebrated throughout all the worlds. He was the saviour of the
Dhartarashtras, and the proceeder in their van! A slayer of hostile
troops, he was the crusher of large bands of foes. Ever engaged in
Duryodhana’s good, he was always prepared to inflict woe on us!
He was invincible in battle by the very gods with Vasava at their
head. In energy and might he was equal unto the god of fire and
the god of wind. In gravity he was unfathomable as the Nether
world. The enhancer of the joys of friends, he was like the
Destroyer himself unto foes! Having slain Karna (who was even
so) in dreadful battle, by good luck it is that you two have come,
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like a couple of celestials after vanquishing an Asura! Today, O

Acyuta and Arjuna, a great battle was fought between myself
exerting with might and that hero resembling the Destroyer
himself, while seeking to exterminate all creatures! My standard
was cut down, and my two Parshni drivers also were slain by him.
I was also made steedless and carless by him in the very sight of
Yuyudhana, of Dhrishtadyumna, of the twins (Nakula and
Sahadeva), of the heroic Shikhandi, as also in the very sight of the
sons of Draupadi, and all the Pancalas! Having vanquished those
innumerable foes, Karna of mighty energy then vanquished me, O
thou of mighty arms, although I exerted myself resolutely in
battle! Pursuing me then and without doubt, vanquishing all my
protectors, that foremost of warriors addressed me in diverse
harsh speeches. That I am still alive, O Dhananjaya, is due to the
prowess of Bhimasena. What more need I say? I am unable to
bear that humiliation! For thirteen years, O Dhananjaya, through
fear of Karna, I did not obtain any sleep by night or any comfort
by day! Filled with hatred of Karna, I burn, O Dhananjaya! Like
the bird Vaddhrinasa I fled from Karna, knowing that the time for
my own destruction had come. The whole of my time had passed
in the thought as to how I would accomplish the destruction of
Karna in battle! Awake or asleep, O son of Kunti, I always beheld
Karna (with my mind’s eye). Wherever I was, the universe
appeared to me to be full of Karna! Inspired with the fear of
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Karna, wherever I used to go, O Dhananjaya, thither I beheld

Karna standing before my eyes! Vanquished in battle, with my
steeds and car, by that hero who never retreated from battle, alive
I was let off by him! What use have I of life or of kingdom either,
since Karna, that ornament of battle, today cried fie on me? That
which I had never before met with at the hands of Bhishma or
Kripa or Drona in battle, that I met with today at the hands of the
Suta’s son, that mighty car-warrior! It is for this, O son of Kunti,
that I ask thee today about thy welfare! Tell me in detail how thou
hast slain Karna today! In battle Karna was equal unto Sakra
himself. In prowess he was equal unto Yama. In weapons he was
equal unto Rama. How then hath he been slain? He was regarded
as a mighty car-warrior, conversant with all modes of warfare. He
was the foremost of all bowmen, and the one man amongst all
men! O prince, the son of Radha was always worshipped by
Dhritarashtra and his son, for thy sake! How then hath he been
slain by thee? In all engagements, Dhritarashtra’s son, O Arjuna,
used to regard Karna as thy death, O bull among men! How then,
O tiger among men, hath that Karna been slain by thee in battle?
Tell me, O son of Kunti, how that Karna hath been slain by thee!
How, while he was engaged in battle, didst thou, O tiger among
men, strike off his head in the very sight of all his friends like a
tiger tearing off the head of a ruru deer? That Suta’s son who in
battle searched all the points of the compass for finding thee, that
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Karna who had promised to give a car with six bulls of

elephantine proportions unto him that would point thee out, I ask:
doth that Karna of wicked soul lie today on the bare ground, slain
with thy keen arrows equipped with kanka feathers? Having slain
the Suta’s son in battle, thou hast accomplished a deed highly
agreeable to me! Encountering him in battle, hast thou really slain
that Suta’s son, who, filled with arrogance and pride and bragging
of his heroism, used to search everywhere on the field of battle for
thee? Hast thou, O sire, really slain in battle that sinful wretch
who used to always challenge thee and who was desirous for thy
sake of giving unto others a magnificent car, made of gold along
with a number of elephants and bulls and steeds? Hast thou really
slain today that sinful wight who was exceedingly dear to
Suyodhana, and who, intoxicated with pride of heroism, used
always to brag in the assembly of the Kurus? Encountered in
battle, doth that wretch lie today on the field, his limbs
exceedingly mangled with sky-ranging shafts sped by thee from
thy bow and all steeped in blood? Have the two arms of
Dhritarashtra’s son been (at last) broken? Have those words been
unfulfilled, uttered from folly by him who, filled with pride, used
to always boast in the midst of the kings for gladdening
Duryodhana, saying, ‘I will slay Phalguna’? O son of Indra, hath
that Karna of little understanding been slain by thee today, that
Suta’s son who made the vow that he would not wash his feet as
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long as Partha lived? That Karna of wicked understanding who in

the assembly; before the Kuru chiefs, had addressed Krishna,
saying, ‘Why, O Krishna, dost thou not abandon the Pandavas that
are divested of might, exceedingly weak, and fallen?’ That Karna
who had vowed for thy sake, saying that he would not return from
battle without having slain Krishna and Partha. I ask, doth that
Karna of sinful understanding lie today on the field, his body
pierced with shafts? Thou knowest the nature of the battle that
took place when the Srinjayas and the Kauravas encountered each
other, the battle in which I was brought to that distressful plight.
Encountering that Karna, hast thou slain him today? O Savyasaci,
hast thou today, with blazing shafts sped from gandiva, cut off
from the trunk of that Karna of wicked understanding his
resplendent head decked with earrings? Pierced with Karna’s
shafts today, I had, O hero, thought of thee (that thou wouldst slay
him)! Hast thou then, by the slaughter of Karna, made that thought
of mine true? In consequence of the protection granted him by
Karna, Suyodhana, filled with pride, always recked us little.
Displaying thy prowess, hast then today destroyed that refuge of
Suyodhana? That Suta’s son of wicked soul, that Karna of great
wrath, who had formerly, in the presence of the Kauravas and in
the midst of the assembly called us sesame seeds without kernel,
encountering that Karna in battle, hast thou slain him today? That
Suta’s son of wicked soul who had, laughing the while,
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commanded Duhshasana to forcibly drag Yajnasena’s daughter

won in gambling by Subala’s son, hath he been slain today by
thee? That Karna of little understanding who, having been
counted as only half a car-warrior during the tale of rathas and
atirathas, had upbraided that foremost of all wielders of weapons
on Earth, our grandsire Bhishma, hath he been slain by thee?
Extinguish, O Phalguna, this fire in my heart that is born of
vindictiveness and is fanned by the wind of humiliation, by telling
me that thou hast slain Karna today, having encountered him in
battle! The news of Karna’s slaughter is exceedingly agreeable to
me.
Tell me, therefore, how the Suta’s son hath been slain! Like the
divine Vishnu waiting for the arrival of Indra with the intelligence
of Vritra’s slaughter, I had so long waited for thee, O hero!”
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“Sanjaya said, ‘Hearing these words of the righteous king who

had been filled with anger, that high-souled atiratha, Jishnu of
infinite energy, replied unto the invincible Yudhishthira of great
might, saying, “While battling with the samsaptakas today,
Drona’s son who always proceedeth at the head of the Kuru
troops, O king, suddenly came before me, shooting shafts that
resembled snakes of virulent poison. Beholding my car, of rattle
deep as the roar of clouds, all the troops began to encompass it.
Slaying full five hundred of those, I then, O foremost of kings,
proceeded against Drona’s son. Approaching me, O king, that
hero with great resolution rushed against me like a prince of
elephants against a lion, and desired to rescue, O monarch, the
Kaurava car-warriors that were being slaughtered by me. Then, in
that battle, O Bharata, the preceptor’s son, that foremost of heroes
among the Kurus, incapable of being made to tremble, began to
afflict me and Janardana with whetted shafts resembling poison or
fire. While engaged in battle with me, eight carts, each drawn by
eight bullocks, carried his hundreds of arrows. He shot them all at
me, but like a wind destroying the clouds I destroyed with my
shafts that arrowy shower of his. He then shot at me, with skill
and force and resolution, thousands of other arrows, all sped from
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his bow-string stretched to his very ear, even like a black cloud in
the season of rains pouring in torrents the water with which it is
charged. So quickly did Drona’s son career in that battle that we
could not discern from which side, the left or the right, he shot his
arrows, nor could we notice when he took up his arrows and when
he let them off. Indeed, the bow of Drona’s son was seen by us to
be incessantly drawn to a circle. At last, the son of Drona pierced
me with five whetted arrows and Vasudeva also with five whetted
arrows. Within the twinkling of an eye, however, I afflicted him
with the force of thunderbolts. Exceedingly afflicted with those
shafts sped by me, he soon assumed the form of a porcupine. All
his limbs became bathed in blood. Beholding his troops, those
foremost of warriors all covered with blood and overwhelmed by
me, he then entered the car-division of the Suta’s son. Seeing the
troops overwhelmed by me in battle, and struck with fear, and
beholding the elephants and steeds flying away, that grinder (of
hostile hosts), viz., Karna approached me quickly with fifty great
carwarriors. Slaying them all and avoiding Karna, I have quickly
come hither for seeing thee. All the Pancalas are afflicted with
fear at sight of Karna like kine at the scent of a lion. The
Prabhadrakas also, O king, having approached Karna, are like
persons that have entered the wide open jaws of Death. Karna has
already despatched to Yama’s abode full seventeen hundred of
those distressed car-warriors. Indeed, O king, the Suta’s son did
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not become cheerless till he had a sight of us. Thou hadst first
been engaged with Ashvatthama and exceedingly mangled by
him. I heard that after that thou wert seen by Karna. O thou of
inconceivable feats, I thought that thou must have, O king, been
enjoying rest (in the camp), having come away from the cruel
Karna. I have seen, O son of Pandu, the great and wonderful
(Bhargava) weapon of Karna displayed in the van of battle.
There is now no other warrior among the Srinjayas that is able to

resist the mighty car-warrior Karna. Let Sini’s grandson Satyaki
and Dhrishtadyumna, O king, be the protectors of my car-wheels.
Let the heroic princes Yudhamanyu and Uttamauja protect my
rear. O thou of great glory, encountering that heroic and invincible
car-warrior, viz., the Suta’s son, staying in the hostile army, like
Sakra encountering Vritra, O foremost of kings, I will, O Bharata,
fight with the Suta’s son if he can be found in this battle today.
Come and behold me and the Suta’s son contending with each
other in battle for victory. There, the Prabhadrakas are rushing
towards the face of a mighty bull. There, O Bharata, 6,000 princes
are sacrificing themselves in battle today, for the sake of heaven.
If, putting forth my strength, I do not, O king, slay Karna today
with all his relatives while engaged in battle with him, then that
end will be mine, O lion among kings, which is his that does not
accomplish a vow taken by him. I beg of thee, bless me, saying
that victory will be mine in battle. Yonder, the Dhartarashtras are
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about to devour Bhima. I will, O lion among kings, slay the Suta’s
son and his troops and all our foes!”’”
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“Sanjaya said, ‘Hearing that Karna of mighty energy was still

alive, Pritha’s son Yudhishthira of immeasurable energy,
exceedingly angry with Phalguna and burning with the shafts of
Karna, said these words unto Dhananjaya, “O sire, thy army is
fled and hath been beaten in a way that is scarcely honourable!
Inspired with fear and deserting Bhima, thou hast come hither
since thou hast been unable to slay Karna. Thou hast, by entering
her womb, rendered the conception of Kunti abortive. Thou hast
acted improperly by deserting Bhima, because thou wert unable to
slay the Suta’s son. Thou hadst, O Partha, said unto me in the
Dwaita woods that thou wouldst, on a single car, slay Karna.
Why, then, through fear of Karna hast come hither, avoiding
Karna and deserting Bhima? If in the Dwaita woods thou hadst
said unto me, ‘O king, I shall not be able to fight with Karna,’ we
would then, O Partha, have made other arrangements suitable to
the circumstances. Having promised me the slaughter of Karna,
thou hast not, O hero, kept that promise. Bringing us into the
midst of foes, why hast thou broken us into pieces by throwing us
down on a hard soil? Expecting diverse good things and benefits
from thee, O Arjuna, we have always uttered blessings on thee.
All those expectations, however, O prince, have proved vain like
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those of persons expectant of fruit getting instead of a tree

burthened only with flowers! Like a fish-hook hid within a piece
of meat, or poison overlaid with food, thou didst, for
disappointing us at last, point out destruction in the shape of
kingdom unto ourselves covetous of kingdom! For these thirteen
years, O Dhananjaya, we have, from hope, lived relying on thee,
like seeds sown on earth in expectation of the showers sent by the
gods in season! Even these were the words that a voice in the
skies had said unto Pritha on the seventh day after thy birth, O
thou of foolish understanding! ‘This son of thine that is born will
have the prowess of Vasava himself! He will vanquish all his
heroic foes! Endued with superior energy, he will at Khandava
vanquish all the celestials united together and diverse other
creatures. This one will subjugate the Madras, the Kalingas, and
the Kaikeyas. This one will, in the midst of many kings, slay the
Kurus.
There will be no bowman superior to him, and no creature will

ever be able to vanquish him. With his senses under control, and
having obtained mastery over all branches of knowledge, this one,
by merely desiring it, will bring all creatures under subjection to
himself. This high-souled son that is born of thee, O Kunti, will in
beauty be the rival of Soma, in speed of the god of wind, in
patience of Meru, in forgiveness of Earth, in splendour of Surya,
in prosperity of the Lord of treasures, in courage of Sakra, and in
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might of Vishnu. He will be the slayer of all foes like Vishnu, the
son of Aditi. Endued with immeasurable energy, he will be
celebrated for the destruction he will deal to foes and the success
he will win for friends. He will, besides, be the founder of a race!’
Even thus, in the skies, on the summit of the Satasringa
mountains, in the hearing of many ascetics, that voice spoke. All
that, however, hath not come to pass. Alas, it shows that the gods
even may speak untruths! Hearing also the words of praise always
uttered about thee by many foremost of Rishis, I never expected
that Suyodhana would win success and prosperity or that thou
thyself wouldst be afflicted with the fear of Karna! Thou ridest
upon an excellent car constructed by the celestial artificer himself,
with axles that do not creak, and with standard that bears the ape.
Thou bearest a sword attached to thy belt of gold and silk. This
thy bow Gandiva is full six cubits long. Thou hast Keshava for thy
driver. Why, then, through fear of Karna hast thou come away
from battle, O Partha? If, O thou of wicked soul, thou hadst given
this bow to Keshava and become his driver, then Keshava could
have (by this time) slain the fierce Karna like the lord of the
Maruts (Sakra) slaying with his thunder the Asura Vritra. If thou
art unable to resist the fierce son of Radha today, as he is
careering in battle, give this thy Gandiva today to some other
king, that may be thy superior in (the use and knowledge of)
weapons. If that be done, the world will not then behold us bereft
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of sons and wives, deprived of happiness in consequence of the

loss of kingdom, and sunk, O son of Pandu, in an unfathomable
hell of great misery. It would have been better for thee if thou
hadst never been born in the womb of Kunti, or having taken thy
birth there, if thou hadst come out on the fifth month an abortion,
than to have, O prince, thus come away from battle, O thou of
wicked soul! Fie on thy Gandiva, fie on the might of thy arms, fie
on thy inexhaustible arrows! Fie on thy banner with the gigantic
ape on it, and fie on thy car given thee by the god of fire!”’”
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“Sanjaya said, ‘Thus addressed by Yudhishthira, Kunti’s son

owning white steeds, filled with rage, drew his sword for slaying
that bull of Bharata’s race. Beholding his wrath, Keshava,
conversant with the workings of the (human) heart said, “Why, O
Partha, dost thou draw thy sword? I do not, O Dhananjaya, behold
anyone here with whom thou hast to fight! The Dhartarashtras
have now been assailed by the intelligent Bhimasena. Thou
comest from battle, O son of Kunti, for seeing the king. The king
has been seen by thee. Indeed, Yudhishthira is well. Having seen
that tiger among kings who is endued with prowess equal to that
of a tiger, why this folly at a time when thou shouldst rejoice? I do
not see here, O son of Kunti, the person whom thou mayst slay.
Why then dost thou desire to strike? What is this delusion of thy
mind? Why dost thou, with such speed, take up that formidable
sword? I ask thee this, O son, of Kunti! What is this that thou art
about, inasmuch as, O thou of inconceivable prowess, thou
graspest that sword in anger?” Thus addressed by Krishna,
Arjuna, casting his eyes on Yudhishthira, and breathing like an
angry snake, said unto Govinda, “I would cut off the head of that
man who would tell me ‘Give thy Gandiva to another person.”
Even this is my secret vow. Those words have been spoken by this
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king, O thou of immeasurable prowess, in thy presence, O

Govinda! I dare not forgive them. I will for that slay this king who
himself fears the slightest falling from virtue. Slaying this best of
men, I will keep my vow. It is for this that I have drawn the
sword, O delighter of the Yadus. Even I, slaying Yudhishthira,
will pay off my debt to truth. By that I will dispel my grief and
fever, O Janardana. I ask thee, what do you think suitable to the
circumstances that have arisen? Thou, O sire, knowest the entire
past and future of this universe. I will do what thou wilt tell me.’”
“Sanjaya continued, ‘Govinda then said, “Fie, fie,” unto Partha

and once more continued to say, “I now know, O Partha, that thou
hast not waited upon the old, since, O tiger among men, thou hast
yielded to wrath at a time when thou shouldst not have done so.
No one that is acquainted with the distinctions of morality would
act in the way, O Dhananjaya, in which thou, O son of Pandu, that
art unacquainted with them, art acting today! He, O Partha, is the
worst of men who committeth acts that should not be done and
doeth acts that are apparently proper but condemned by the
scriptures. Thou knowest not the decisions of those learned men
who, waited upon by pupils, declare their opinions, following the
dictates of morality. The man that is not acquainted with those
rulings becomes confounded and stupefied, O Partha, even as thou
hast been stupefied, in discriminating between what should be
done and what should not. What should be done and what should
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not cannot be ascertained easily. Everything can be ascertained

by the aid of the scriptures. Thou, however, art not acquainted
with the scriptures. Since (believing thyself) conversant with
morality, thou art desirous of observing morality (in this way, it
seems) thou art actuated by ignorance. Thou believest thyself to
be conversant with virtue, but thou dost not know, O Partha, that
the slaughter of living creatures is a sin. Abstention from injury to
animals is, I think, the highest virtue. One may even speak an
untruth, but one should never kill. How then, O foremost of men,
couldst thou wish, like an ordinary person, to slay thy eldest
brother, the King, who is conversant with morality? The slaughter
of a person not engaged in battle, or of a foe, O Bharata who has
turned his face from battle or who flies away or seeks protection
or joins his hands or yields himself up or is careless, is never
applauded by the righteous. All these attributes are in thy superior.
This vow, O Partha, was adopted by thee before from foolishness.
In consequence of that vow thou art now, from folly, desirous of
perpetrating a sinful act. Why, O Partha, dost thou rush towards
thy reverend superior for slaying him, without having resolved the
exceedingly subtle course of morality that is, again, difficult of
being understood? I will now tell thee, O son of Pandu, this
mystery connected with morality, this mystery that was declared
by Bhishma, by the righteous Yudhishthira, by Vidura otherwise
called Kshatri, and by Kunti, of great celebrity. I will tell thee that
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mystery in all its details. Listen to it, O Dhananjaya! One who

speaks truth is righteous. There is nothing higher than truth.
Behold, however, truth as practised is exceedingly difficult to be
understood as regards its essential attributes. Truth may be
unutterable, and even falsehood may be utterable where falsehood
would become truth and truth would become falsehood. In a
situation of peril to life and in marriage, falsehood becomes
utterable. In a situation involving the loss of one’s entire
property, falsehood becomes utterable. On an occasion of
marriage, or of enjoying a woman, or when life is in danger, or
when one’s entire property is about to be taken away, or for the
sake of a Brahmana, falsehood may be uttered. These five kinds
of falsehood have been declared to be sinless. On these occasions
falsehood would become truth and truth would become falsehood.
He is a fool that practises truth without knowing the difference
between truth and falsehood. One is said to be conversant with
morality when one is able to distinguish between truth and
falsehood. What wonder then in this that a man of wisdom, by
perpetrating even a cruel act, may obtain great merit like Valaka
by the slaughter of the blind beast? What wonder, again, in this
that a foolish and ignorant person, from even the desire of
winning merit, earns great sin like Kausika (living) among the
rivers?”
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“’Arjuna said, “Tell me, O holy one, this story that I may
understand it, viz., this illustration about Valaka and about
Kausika (living) among rivers.”
“’Vasudeva said, “There was a certain hunter of animals, O

Bharata, of the name of Valaka. He used, for the livelihood of his
son and wives and not from will, to slay animals. Devoted to the
duties of his own order and always speaking the truth and never
harbouring malice, he used also to support his parents and others
that depended upon him. One day, searching for animals even
with perseverance and care, he found none. At last he saw a beast
of prey whose sense of smell supplied the defect of his eyes,
employed in drinking water. Although he had never seen such an
animal before, still he slew it immediately. After the slaughter of
that blind beast, a floral shower fell from the skies (upon the head
of the hunter). A celestial car also, exceedingly delightful and
resounding with the songs of Apsaras and the music of their
instruments, came from heaven for taking away that hunter of
animals. That beast of prey, having undergone ascetic austerities,
had obtained a boon and had become the cause of the destruction
of all creatures. For this reason he was made blind by the Self-
born. Having slain that animal which had resolved to slay all
creatures, Valaka went to heaven. Morality is even so difficult of
being understood. There was an ascetic of the name of Kausika
without much knowledge of the scriptures. He lived in a spot
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much removed from a village, at a point where many rivers met.

He made a vow, saying, ‘I must always speak the truth.’ He then
became celebrated, O Dhananjaya, as a speaker of truth. At that
time certain persons, from fear of robbers, entered that wood
(where Kausika dwelt). Thither even, the robbers, filled with rage,
searched for them carefully. Approaching Kausika then, that
speaker of truth, they asked him saying, ‘O holy one, by which
path have a multitude of men gone a little while before? Asked in
the name of Truth, answer us. If thou hast seen them, tell us this’.
Thus adjured, Kausika told them the truth, saying, ‘Those men
have entered this wood crowded with many trees and creepers and
plants’. Even thus, O Partha, did Kausika give them the
information. Then those cruel men, it is heard, finding out the
persons they sought, slew them all. In consequence of that great
sin consisting in the words spoken, Kausika, ignorant of the
subtilities of morality, fell into a grievous hell, even as a foolish
man, of little knowledge, and unacquainted with the distinctions
of morality, falleth into painful hell by not having asked persons
of age for the solution of his doubts. There must be some
indications for distinguishing virtue from sin. Sometimes that high
and unattainable knowledge may be had by the exercise of reason.
Many persons say, on the one hand, that the scriptures indicate
morality. I do not contradict this. The scriptures, however, do not
provide for every case. For the growth of creatures have precepts
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of morality been declared. That which is connected with

inoffensiveness is religion. Dharma protects and preserves the
people. So it is the conclusion of the Pandits that what maintains
is Dharma. O Partha, I have narrated to you the signs and
indications of Dharma. Hearing this, you decide whether
Yudhishthira is to be slaughtered by you or not.” Arjuna said,
“Krishna, your words are fraught with great intelligence and
impregnated with wisdom. Thou art to us like our parents and our
refuge. Nothing is unknown to thee in the three worlds, so thou art
conversant with the canons of morality. O Keshava of the Vrishni
clan, thou knowest my vow that whoever among men would tell
me, ‘Partha, give thy Gandiva to some one braver than you,’ I
shall at once put an end to his life. Bhima has also made a promise
that whoever would call him ‘tularak’, would be slaughtered by
him there and then. Now the King has repeatedly used those very
words to me in thy presence, O hero, viz., ‘Give thy bow.’ If I slay
him, O Keshava, I will not be able to live in this world for even a
moment. Having intended again the slaughter of the king through
folly and the loss of my mental faculties, I have been polluted by
sin. It behoveth thee today, O foremost of all righteous persons, to
give me such counsel that my vow, known throughout the world,
may become true while at the same time both myself and the
eldest son of Pandu may live.’”
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“’Vasudeva said, “The king was fatigued, and under the influence
of grief, He had been mangled in battle by Karna with numerous
arrows. After that, O hero, he was repeatedly struck by the Suta’s
son (with his shafts), while he was retreating from battle. It was
for this that, labouring under a load of sorrow, he spoke those
improper words unto thee in wrath. He provoked thee by those
words so that thou mightest slay Karna in battle. The son of Pandu
knows that the wretched Karna is incapable of being borne by any
one else in the world (save thee). It was for this, O Partha, that the
king in great wrath said those harsh words to thy face. The stake
in the game of today’s battle has been made to lie in the ever alert
and always unbearable Karna. That Karna being slain, the
Kauravas would necessarily be vanquished. Even this is what the
royal son of Dharma had thought. For this the son of Dharma does
not deserve death. Thy vow also, O Arjuna, should be kept. Listen
now to my counsels that will be agreeable to thee, to counsels in
consequence of which Yudhishthira without being actually
deprived of life may yet be dead. As long as one that is deserving
of respect continues to receive respect, one is said to live in the
world of men. When, however, such a person meets with
disrespect, he is spoken of as one that is dead though alive.
This king hath always been respected by thee and by Bhima and
the twins, as also by all heroes and all persons in the world that
are venerable for years. In some trifle then show him disrespect.
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Therefore, O Partha, address this Yudhishthira as ‘thou’ when his

usual form of address is ‘your honour.’ A superior, O Bharata, by
being addressed as ‘thou,’ is killed though not deprived of life.
Bear thyself thus, O son of Kunti, towards king Yudhishthira, the
just. Adopt this censurable behaviour, O perpetuator of Kuru’s
race! This best audition of all auditions, hath been declared by
both Atharvan and Angiras. Men desiring good should always act
in this way without scruples of any kind. Without being deprived
of life a superior is yet said to be killed if that venerable one is
addressed as ‘thou.’ Conversant with duty as thou art, address
king Yudhishthira the just, in the manner I have indicated. This
death, O son of Pandu, at thy hands, king Yudhishthira will never
regard as an offence committed by thee. Having addressed him in
this way, thou mayst then worship his feet and speak words of
respect unto this son of Pritha and soothe his wounded honour.
Thy brother is wise. The royal son of Pandu, therefore, will never
be angry with thee. Freed from falsehood as also from fratricide,
thou wilt then, O Partha, cheerfully slay the Suta’s son Karna!”’”
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“Sanjaya said, ‘Thus addressed by Janardana, Pritha’s son Arjuna,

applauding those counsels of his friend, then vehemently
addressed king Yudhishthira the just, in language that was harsh
and the like of which he had never used before.
“’Arjuna said, “Do thou not, O king, address these upbraidings to

me, thou that art passing thy time full two miles away from battle.
Bhima, however, who is battling with the foremost heroes of the
world may upbraid me. Having afflicted his foes at the proper
time in battle, and slain many brave lords of earth and many
foremost of car-warriors and huge elephants and many heroic
horsemen and countless brave combatants, he hath, in addition,
slain a 1,000 elephants and 10,000 Kamboja mountaineers, and is
uttering loud roars in battle like a lion after slaying innumerable
smaller animals. That hero achieveth the most difficult feats, the
like of which thou canst never achieve. Jumping down from his
car, mace in hand, he hath destroyed a large number of steeds and
cars and elephants in battle. With also his foremost of swords he
hath destroyed many horsemen and cars and steeds and elephants.
With the broken limbs of cars, and with his bow also, he
consumeth his foes. Endued with the prowess of Indra, with his
feet and also his bare arms he slayeth numerous foes. Possessed of
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great might and resembling Kuvera and Yama, he destroyeth the

hostile army, putting forth his strength. That Bhimasena hath the
right to upbraid me, but not thou that art always protected by
friends. Agitating the foremost of car-warriors and elephants and
steeds and foot-soldiers, Bhima, single-handed, is now in the
midst of the Dhartarashtras. That chastiser of foes hath the right to
upbraid me. The chastiser of foes who is slaying the Kalingas, the
Vangas, the Angas, the Nishadas, and the Magadhas, and large
numbers of hostile elephants that are ever infuriated and that look
like masses of blue clouds, is competent to upbraid me. Riding on
a suitable car, shaking his bow at the proper time, and with shafts
in his (other) hand, that hero poureth showers of arrows in great
battle like the clouds pouring torrents of rain. Eight hundred
elephants, I have seen, with their frontal globes split open and the
ends of their tusks cut off, have today been slain by Bhima with
shafts in battle. That slayer of foes is competent to tell me harsh
words. The learned say that the strength of the foremost of
Brahmanas lies in speech, and that the Kshatriya’s strength is in
his arms. Thou, O Bharata, art strong in words and very unfeeling.
Thou thinkest me to be like thyself. I always strive to do thee
good with my soul, life, sons and wives. Since, not withstanding
all this, thou still piercest me with such wordy darts, it is evident
that we cannot expect any happiness from thee. Lying on
Draupadi’s bed thou insultest me, though for thy sake I slay the
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mightiest of car-warriors. Thou art without any anxiety, O

Bharata, and thou art cruel. I have never obtained any happiness
from thee. It was for thy good, O chief of men, that Bhishma,
firmly devoted to truth, himself told thee the means of his death in
battle, and was slain by the heroic and high-souled Shikhandi, the
son of Drupada, protected by me. I do not derive any pleasure
from the thought of thy restoration to sovereignty, since thou art
addicted to the evil practice of gambling. Having thyself
committed a wicked act to which they only are addicted that are
low, thou desirest now to vanquish thy foes through our aid. Thou
hadst heard of the numerous faults and the great sinfulness of dice
that Sahadeva spoke about. Yet dice, which are worshipped by the
wicked, thou couldst not abandon. It was for this that all of us
have fallen into hell. We have never derived any happiness from
thee since thou wert engaged in gambling with dice. Having, O
son of Pandu, thyself caused all this calamity, thou art, again,
addressing these harsh words to me. Slain by us, hostile troops are
lying on the field, with mangled bodies and uttering loud wails. It
was thou that didst that cruel act in consequence of which the
Kauravas have become offenders and are being destroyed. Nations
from the North, the West, the East, and the South, are being
struck, wounded and slain, after the performance of incomparable
feats in battle by great warriors of both sides. It was thou that
hadst gambled. It was for thee that we lost our kingdom. Our
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calamity arose from thee, O king! Striking us, again, with the
cruel goad of thy speeches, O king, do not provoke our wrath.’”
“Sanjaya said, ‘Having addressed these harsh and exceedingly

bitter words unto his eldest brother and thereby committed a
venial sin, the intelligent Savyasaci of calm wisdom, who is ever
actuated by the fear of defection from virtue, became very
cheerless. The son of the chief of the celestials became filled with
remorse and breathing heavily, drew his sword. Seeing this,
Krishna asked him, “What is this? Why dost thou again unsheathe
thy sword blue as the sky? Tell me what thy answer is, for then I
shall give thee counsel for the gratification of thy object.” Thus
addressed by that foremost of men, Arjuna, in great sorrow
answered Keshava, saying, “I shall, putting forth my strength, slay
my own self by whom this wicked act hath been done.” Hearing
those words of Partha, Keshava, that foremost of all righteous
persons said this unto Dhananjaya, “Having said these words unto
the king, why hast thou become so cheerless? O slayer of foes,
thou desirest now to destroy thy own self. This, however, Kiritin,
is not approved by the righteous. If, O hero among men, thou
hadst today, from fear of sin, slain this thy eldest brother of
virtuous soul, what would then have been thy condition and what
wouldst thou not then have done? Morality is subtle, O Bharata,
and unknowable, especially by those that are ignorant. Listen to
me as I preach to thee. By destroying thy own self, thou wouldst
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sink into a more terrible hell than if thou hadst slain thy brother.
Declare now, in words, thy own merit. Thou shalt then, O Partha,
have slain thy own self.” Applauding these words and saying,
“Let it be so, O Krishna,” Dhananjaya, the son of Sakra, lowering
his bow, said unto Yudhishthira, that foremost of virtuous
persons, “Listen, O king, there is no other bowman, O ruler of
men, like unto myself, except the deity that bears Pinaka; I am
regarded by even that illustrious deity. In a moment I can destroy
this universe of mobile and immobile creatures. It was I, O king,
that vanquished all the points of the compass with all the kings
ruling there, and brought all to thy subjection. The Rajasuya
(performed by thee), brought to completion by gift of Dakshina,
and the celestial palace owned by thee, were both due to my
prowess. In my hands are (marks of) sharp shafts and a stringed
bow with arrow fixed thereon. On both my soles are the signs of
cars with standards. No one can vanquish a person like me in
battle. Nations from the North, the West, the East and the South,
have been struck down, slain, exterminated and destroyed. A
small remnant only of the samsaptakas is alive. I alone have slain
half of the entire (hostile) army. Slaughtered by me, the Bharata
host that resembled, O king, the very host of the celestials, is lying
dead on the field. I slay those with (high) weapons that are
conversant with high weapons. For this reason I do not reduce the
three worlds to ashes. Riding upon my terrible and victorious car,
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Krishna and myself will soon proceed for slaying the Suta’s son.
Let this king become cheerful now. I will surely slay Karna in
battle, with my arrows. Either the Suta dame will today be made
childless by me, or Kunti will be made childless by Karna. Truly
do I say it that I will not put off my armour before I have slain
Karna with my arrows in battle.’”
“Sanjaya said, ‘Having said these words unto that foremost of

virtuous persons, viz., Yudhishthira, Partha threw down his
weapons and cast aside his bow and quickly thrust his sword back
into its sheath. Hanging down his head in shame, the diadem-
decked Arjuna, with joined hands, addressed Yudhishthira, and
said, “Be cheerful, O king, forgiving me. What I have said, you
will understand a little while after. I bow to thee.” Thus seeking to
cheer that royal hero capable of bearing all foes, Arjuna, that
foremost of men, standing there, once more said, “This task will
not be delayed. It will be accomplished soon. Karna cometh
towards me. I shall proceed against him. I shall, with my whole
soul, proceed for rescuing Bhima from the battle and for slaying
the Suta’s son. I tell thee that I hold my life for thy good. Know
this for the truth, O king.” Having said so, the diadem-decked
Arjuna of blazing splendour touched the king’s feet and rose for
proceeding to the field. Hearing, however, those harsh words of
his brother Phalguna, Pandu’s son, king Yudhishthira, the just,
rising up from that bed (on which he had been sitting), said these
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words unto Partha, with his heart filled with sorrow, “O Partha, I
have acted wickedly. For that, ye have been overwhelmed with
terrible calamity. Do thou strike off, therefore, this my head today.
I am the worst of men, and the exterminator of my race. I am a
wretch. I am addicted to wicked courses. I am of foolish
understanding. I am idle and a coward. I am an insulter of the old.
I am cruel. What wouldst thou gain by always being obedient to a
cruel person like me? A wretch that I am, I shall this very day
retire into the woods. Live you happily without me. The high-
souled Bhimasena is fit to be king. A eunuch that I am, what shall
I do with sovereignty? I am incapable of bearing these harsh
speeches of thee excited with wrath. Let Bhima become king.
Having been insulted thus, O hero, what use have I with life.”
Having said these words, the king, leaving that bed, suddenly
stood up and desired to go to the woods. Then Vasudeva, bowing
down, said unto him, “O king, the celebrated vow of the wielder
of Gandiva who is ever devoted to truth about his Gandiva, is
known to thee. That man in the world who would tell him, ‘Give
thy Gandiva to another’, would be slain by him. Even those very
words were addressed to him by you. Therefore, for keeping that
earnest vow, Partha, acting also at my instance, inflicted you this
insult, O lord of Earth. Insult to superiors is said to be their death.
For this reason, O thou of mighty arms, it behoveth thee to forgive

me that beseech and bow to thee this transgression, O king, of
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both myself and Arjuna, committed for maintaining the truth.

Both of us, O great king, throw ourselves on thy mercy. The Earth
shall today drink the blood of the wretched son of Radha. I swear
truly to thee. Know the Suta’s son as slain today. He, whose
slaughter thou desirest, hath today lost his life.”
Hearing those words of Krishna, king Yudhishthira the just, in a

great fury, raised the prostrate Hrishikesha and joining his hands,
said in haste, “It is even so as thou hast said. I have been guilty of
a transgression, I have now been awakened by thee, O Govinda. I
am saved by thee, O Madhava. By thee, O Acyuta, we have today
been rescued from a great calamity. Both of us stupefied by folly,
viz., myself and Arjuna, have been rescued from an ocean of
distress, having obtained thee as our lord. Indeed, having obtained
the raft of thy intelligence today, we have, with our relatives and
allies, passed over an ocean of sorrow and grief. Having obtained
thee, O Acyuta, we are not masterless.”
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71
“Sanjaya said, ‘Having heard these joyful words of king

Yudhishthira, Govinda of virtuous soul, that delighter of the
Yadus, then addressed Partha. The latter, however, having at the
instance of Krishna addressed those words unto Yudhishthira,
became exceedingly cheerless for having committed a trivial sin.
Then Vasudeva, smiling, said unto the son of Pandu, “What would
have been thy condition, O Partha, if, observant of virtue thou
hadst slain the son of Dharma with thy sharp sword? Having only
addressed the king as thou, such cheerlessness hath possessed thy
heart. If thou hadst slain the king, O Partha, what wouldst thou
have done after that? Morality is so inscrutable, especially by
persons of foolish understanding. Without doubt great grief would
have been thine in consequence of thy fear of sin. Thou wouldst
have sunk also in terrible hell in consequence of the slaughter of
thy brother. Gratify now this king of virtuous behaviour, this
foremost of all practisers of virtue, this chief of Kuru’s race. Even
this is my wish. Gratifying the king with devotion, and after
Yudhishthira will have been made happy, we two will proceed
against the car of the Suta’s son for fighting him. Slaying Karna
today with thy keen shafts in battle, do thou, O giver of honours,
give great happiness to Dharma’s son. Even this, O mighty-armed
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one, is what I think to be suitable to this hour. Having done this,

thy purpose will be achieved.” Then Arjuna, O monarch, in
shame, touched king Yudhishthira’s feet with his head. And he
repeatedly said unto that chief of the Bharatas, “Be pleased with
me, Forgive, O king, all that I have said from desire of observing
virtue and from fear of sins.’”
“Sanjaya said, ‘Beholding Dhananjaya, that slayer of foes, lying

weeping at his feet, O bull of Bharata’s race, king Yudhishthira
the just raised his brother. And king Yudhishthira, that lord of the
earth, then embraced his brother affectionately and wept aloud.
The two brothers, of great splendour, having wept for a long
while, at last became freed from grief, O monarch, and as cheerful
as before. Then embracing him once more with affection and
smelling his head, the son of Pandu, exceedingly gratified,
applauded his brother Jaya and said, “O thou of mighty arms, in
the very sight of all the troops, my armour, standard, bow, dart,
steeds, and arrows, were cut off in battle, O great bowman, by
Karna with his shafts, although I exerted myself with care.
Thinking of and seeing his feats in battle, O Phalguna, I lose my
energies in grief. Life itself is no longer dear to me. If thou dost
not slay that hero in battle today, I will cast away my life breaths.
What use have I with life?” Thus addressed, Vijaya, replied, O
bull of Bharata’s race, saying, “I swear by Truth, O king, and by
thy grace, by Bhima, O best of men, and by the twins, O lord of
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the earth, that today I shall slay Karna, in battle, or, being myself
slain by him fall down on the earth. Swearing truly, I touch my
weapons.” Having said these words unto the king, he addressed
Madhava, saying, “Without doubt, O Krishna, I will slay Karna in
battle today. Aided by thy intelligence, blessed be thou, the
slaughter of that wicked-souled one is certain.” Thus addressed,
Keshava, O best of kings, said unto Partha, “Thou art competent,
O best of the Bharatas, to slay the mighty Karna. Even this hath
ever been my thought, O mighty car-warrior, as to how, O best of
men thou, wouldst slay Karna in battle.” Endued with great
intelligence, Madhava once more addressed the son of Dharma,
saying, “O Yudhishthira, it behoveth thee to comfort Vibhatsu,
and command him to slaughter Karna of wicked soul. Having
heard that thou hadst been afflicted with shafts of Karna, myself
and this one came hither, O son of Pandu, for ascertaining thy
plight. By good luck, O king, thou wert not slain. By good luck
thou wert not seized. Comfort thy Vibhatsu, and bless him, O
sinless one, with thy wishes for his victory.’”
“’Yudhishthira said, “Come, Come, O Partha, O Vibhatsu, and

embrace me, O son of Pandu. Thou hast told me beneficial words
that deserved to be said, and I have forgiven thee. I command
thee, O Dhananjaya, go and slay Karna. Do not, O Partha, be
angry for the harsh words I said unto thee.’”
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“Sanjaya continued, ‘Then Dhananjaya, O king, bowed unto

Yudhishthira by bending his head, and seized with his two hands,
O sire, the feet of his eldest brother. Raising him and embracing
him closely, the king smelt his head and once more said these
words unto him, “O Dhananjaya, O thou of mighty arms, I have
been greatly honoured by thee. Do thou ever win greatness and
victory.’”
“’Arjuna said, “Approaching Radha’s son today that is proud of

his might, I shall slay that man of sinful deeds with my shafts in
battle, along with all his kinsmen and followers. He who, having
bent the bow strongly, afflicted thee with his shafts, I say, that
Karna, will obtain today the bitter fruit of that act of his. Having
slain Karna, O lord of the earth, I shall today come back from the
dreadful battle to pay thee my respects by walking behind thee. I
tell thee this truly. Without having slain Karna I shall not come
back today from the great battle. Truly do I swear this by touching
thy feet, O lord of the universe.’”
“Sanjaya continued, ‘Unto the diadem-decked (Arjuna) who was

speaking in that way, Yudhishthira, with a cheerful heart, said
these words of grave import, “Do thou obtain imperishable fame,
and such a period of life as accordeth with thy own desire, and
victory, and energy, and the destruction of thy foes. Let the gods
grant thee prosperity. Obtain thou all these to the measure desired
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by me. Go quickly to battle, and slay Karna, even as Purandara

slew Vritra for his own aggrandisement.”
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72
“Sanjaya said, ‘Having with a cheerful heart gratified king

Yudhishthira the just, Partha, prepared to slay the Suta’s son,
addressed Govinda, saying, “Let my car be once more equipped
and let my foremost of steeds be yoked thereto. Let all kinds of
weapon be placed upon that great vehicle. The steeds have rolled
on the ground. They have been trained by persons skilled in horse
lore. Along with the other equipment of the car, let them be
quickly brought and decked in their trappings. Proceed quickly, O
Govinda, for the slaughter of the Suta’s son.” Thus addressed, O
monarch, by the high-souled Phalguna, Krishna commanded
Daruka, saying, “Do all that Arjuna, that chief of Bharata’s race
and that foremost of all wielders of the bow, hath said.” Thus
ordered by Krishna, Daruka, O best of kings, yoked those steeds
unto that car covered with tiger-skins and ever capable of
scorching all foes. He then represented unto the high-souled son
of Pandu the fact of having equipped his vehicle. Beholding the
car equipped by the high-souled Daruka, Phalguna, obtaining
Yudhishthira’s leave and causing the Brahmanas to perform
propitiatory rites and utter benedictions on him, ascended that
excellent vehicle. King Yudhishthira the just, of great wisdom,
also blessed him. After this, Phalguna proceeded towards Karna’s
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car. Beholding that great bowman thus proceeding, all creatures,

O Bharata, regarded Karna as already slain by the high-souled
Pandava. All the points of the compass, O king, became serene.
King-fishers and parrots and herons, O king, wheeled around the
son of Pandu. A large number of beautiful and auspicious birds, O
king, called Pung, causing Arjuna (by their timely appearance) to
put forth greater speed in battle, cheerfully uttered their cries
around him. Terrible Kankas and vultures, and cranes and hawks
and ravens, O king, tempted by the prospect of food, proceeded in
advance of his car, and indicated auspicious omens foreboding the
destruction of the hostile host and the slaughter of Karna. And
while Partha proceeded, a copious perspiration covered his body.
His anxiety also became very great as to how he would achieve
his vow. The slayer of Madhu then, beholding Partha filled with
anxiety as he proceeded, addressed the wielder of Gandiva and
said these words.
“’Vasudeva said, “O wielder of Gandiva, save thee there exists no

other man that could vanquish those whom thou hast vanquished
with this bow of thine. We have seen many heroes, who, endued
with prowess like that Sakra, have attained to the highest regions,
encountering thy heroic self in battle! Who else, O puissant one,
that is not equal to thee, would be safe and sound after
encountering Drona and Bhishma and Bhagadatta, O sire, and
Vinda and Anuvinda of Avanti and Sudakshina, the chief of the
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Kambojas and Srutayudha of mighty energy and Acyutayudha as

well? Thou hast celestial weapons, and lightness of hand and
might, and thou art never stupefied in battle! Thou hast also that
humility which is due to knowledge! Thou canst strike with
effect! Thou hast sureness of aim, and presence of mind as regards
the selection of means, O Arjuna! Thou art competent to destroy
all mobile and immobile creatures including the very gods with
the Gandharvas! On earth, O Partha, there is no human warrior
who is equal to thee in battle. Amongst all Kshatriyas, invincible
in battle, that wield the bow, amongst the very gods, I have not
seen or heard of even one that is equal to thee. The Creator of all
beings, viz., Brahma himself created the great bow Gandiva with
which thou fightest, O Partha! For this reason there is no one that
is equal to thee. I must, however, O son of Pandu, say that which
is beneficial to thee. Do not. O mighty-armed one, disregard
Karna, that ornament of battle! Karna is possessed of might. He is
proud and accomplished in weapons. He is a maharatha. He is
accomplished (in the ways of battle) and conversant with all
modes of warfare. He is also well-acquainted with all that suits
place and time. What need is there of saying much? Hear in brief,
O son of Pandu! I regard the mighty car-warrior Karna as thy
equal, or perhaps, thy superior! With the greatest care and
resolution shouldst thou slay him in great battle. In energy he is
equal to Agni. As regards speed, he is equal to the impetuosity of
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the wind. In wrath, he resembles the Destroyer himself. Endued

with might, he resembles a lion in the formation of his body. He is
eight ratnis in stature. His arms are large. His chest is broad. He is
invincible. He is sensitive. He is a hero. He is, again, the foremost
of heroes. He is exceedingly handsome. Possessed of every
accomplishment of a warrior, he is a dispeller of the fears of
friends. Engaged in the good of Dhritarashtra’s son, he always
hates the sons of Pandu. No one, not even the gods with Vasava at
their head, can slay the son of Radha, save thee, as I think. Slay,
therefore, the Suta’s son today. No one possessed of flesh and
blood, not even the gods fighting with great care, not all the
warriors (of the three worlds) fighting together can vanquish that
car-warrior. Towards the Pandavas he is always of wicked soul
and sinful behaviour, and cruel, and of wicked intelligence. In his
quarrel with the sons of Pandu, he is actuated by no consideration
affecting his own interests. Slaying that Karna, therefore, fulfill
thy purpose today. Despatch today unto Yama’s presence that
Suta’s son, that foremost of car-warriors, whose death is near.
Indeed, slaying that Suta’s son, that first of car-warriors, show the
love for Yudhishthira the just. I know thy prowess truly, O Partha,
which is incapable of being resisted by the gods and Asuras. The
Suta’s son of wicked soul, from exceeding pride, always
disregards the sons of Pandu. O Dhananjaya, slay that man today
for whose sake the wretched Duryodhana regardeth himself a
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hero, that root of all (those) sinful persons, that son of a Suta.
Slay, O Dhananjaya, that tiger among men, that active and proud
Karna, who hath a sword for his tongue, a bow for his mouth, and
arrows for his teeth. I know thee well as regards the energy and
the might that are in thee. Slay the brave Karna in battle, like a
lion slaying an elephant. Slay in battle today, O Partha, that
Karna, otherwise called Vaikartana, in consequence of whose
energy Dhritarashtra’s son disregards thine.’”
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73
“Sanjaya said, ‘Once more Keshava of immeasurable soul said

these words unto Arjuna, who, O Bharata, was advancing (to
battle), firmly resolved upon slaying Karna, ‘Today is the
seventeenth day, O Bharata, of this terrible massacre of men and
elephants and steeds. At the outset vast was the host that belonged
to you. Encountering the foe in battle, that host has been very
much reduced in numbers, O king! The Kauravas also, O Partha,
were numerous at first, teeming with elephants and steeds.
Encountering thee, however, as their foe, they have been nearly
exterminated in the van of battle! These lords of Earth and these
Srinjayas, united together, and these Pandava troops also,
obtaining thy invincible self as their leader, are maintaining their
ground on the field. Protected by thee, O slayer of foes, the
Pancalas, the Matsyas, the Karushas, and the Cedis, have caused a
great destruction of thy foes. Who is there that can vanquish the
assembled Kauravas in battle? On the other hand, who is there
that can vanquish the mighty car-warriors of the Pandavas
protected by thee? Thou, however, art competent to vanquish in
battle the three worlds consisting of the gods, the asuras, and
human beings, united together. What need I say then of the
Kaurava host? Save thee, O tiger among men, who else is there,
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even if he resemble Vasava himself in prowess, that could

vanquish king Bhagadatta? So also, O sinless one, all the lords of
earth, united together, are incapable, O Partha, of even gazing at
this vast force that is protected by thee. So also, O Partha, it is
owing to their having been always protected by thee that
Dhrishtadyumna and Shikhandi succeeded in slaying Drona and
Bhishma. Who, indeed, O Partha, could vanquish in battle those
two mighty car-warriors of the Bharatas, Bhishma and Drona,
both of whom were endued with prowess equal to that of Sakra
himself? Save thee, O tiger among men, what other man in this
world is able to vanquish those fierce lords of akshauhinis, those
unreturning and invincible heroes, all accomplished in weapons
and united together, Shantanu’s son Bhishma, and Drona, and
Vaikartana, and Kripa, and Drona’s son, and king Duryodhana
himself? Innumerable divisions of soldiers have been destroyed
(by thee), their steeds and cars and elephants having been mangled
(with thy shafts). Numberless Kshatriyas also, wrathful and
fierce, hailing from diverse provinces, have been destroyed by
thee. Teeming with horses and elephants, large bodies of
combatants of diverse Kshatriya clans, such as the Govasas, the
Dasamiyas, the Vasatis, O Bharata, and the Easterners, the
Vatadhanas, and the Bhojas that are very sensitive of their honour,
approaching thee and Bhima, O Bharata, have met with
destruction. Of terrible deeds and exceedingly fierce, the
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Tusharas, the Yavanas, the Khasas, the Darvabhisaras, the

Daradas, the Sakas, the Kamathas, the Ramathas, the Tanganas
the Andhrakas, the Pulindas, the Kiratas of fierce prowess, the
Mlecchas, the Mountaineers, and the races hailing from the sea-
side, all endued with great wrath and great might, delighting in
battle and armed with maces, these all—united with the Kurus and
fighting wrathfully for Duryodhana’s sake were incapable of
being vanquished in battle by anybody else save thee, O scorcher
of foes! What man, unprotected by thee, could advance, beholding
the mighty and swelling host of the Dhartarashtras arrayed in
order of battle? Protected by thee, O puissant one, the Pandavas,
filled with wrath, and penetrating into its midst, have destroyed
that host shrouded with dust and resembling a swollen sea. Seven
days have elapsed since the mighty Jayatsena, the ruler of the
Magadhas, was slain in battle by Abhimanyu. After that, 10,000
elephants, of fierce feats, that used to follow that king, were slain
by Bhimasena with his mace. After that, other elephants, and car-
warriors, by hundreds, have been destroyed by Bhima in that
exercise of his might. Even thus, O Partha, during the progress of
this awful battle, the Kauravas, with their steeds and carwarriors
and elephants, encountering Bhimasena and thee, O son of Pandu,
have from hence repaired to the region of Death. The van of the
Kaurava army, O Partha, having been struck down by the
Pandavas, Bhishma shot showers of fierce shafts, O sire!
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Conversant with the highest weapons, he shrouded the Cedis, the

Pancalas, the Karushas, the Matsyas, and the Kaikayas with the
shafts, and deprived them of life! The welkin became filled with
gold-winged and straight coursing shafts, capable of piercing the
bodies of all foes, that issued out of his bow. He slew thousands of
car-warriors, shooting showers of shafts at a time. In all, he slew a
100,000 men and elephants of great might. Abandoning the
diverse motions, each of a new kind, in which they careered, those
wicked kings and elephants, while perishing, destroyed many
steeds and cars and elephants. Indeed, numberless were the shafts
that Bhishma shot in battle. Slaughtering the Pandava host for ten
days together, Bhishma made the terraces of numberless cars
empty and deprived innumerable elephants and steeds of life.
Having assumed the form of Rudra or of Upendra in battle, he
afflicted the Pandava divisions and caused a great carnage
amongst them. Desirous of rescuing the wicked Suyodhana who
was sinking in a raftless sea, he slaughtered many lords of Earth
among the Cedis, the Pancalas, and the Kaikayas, and caused a
great massacre of the Pandava army teeming with cars and steeds
and elephants. Innumerable foot-soldiers among the Srinjayas, all
well-armed, and other lords of earth, were incapable of even
looking at that hero when he careered in battle like the Sun
himself of scorching splendour. At last the Pandavas, with all their
resources, made a mighty effort, and rushed against that warrior
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who, inspired with the desire of victory, used to career in battle

even in this way. Without availing himself of any aid, he routed,
however, the Pandavas and the Srinjayas in battle, and came to be
regarded as the one foremost hero in the world. Encountering him,
Shikhandi, protected by thee, slew that tiger among men with his
straight shafts. Having obtained thee that art a tiger among men
(as his foe), that grandsire is now stretched on a bed of arrows,
like Vritra when he obtained Vasava for his foe. The fierce Drona
also slaughtered the hostile army for five days together. Having
made an impenetrable array and caused many mighty car-warriors
to be slain, that great car-warrior had protected Jayadratha (for
some time). Fierce as the Destroyer himself, he caused a great
carnage in the nocturnal battle. Endued with great valour, the
heroic son of Bharadwaja consumed innumerable combatants with
his arrows. At last, encountering Dhrishtadyumna, he attained to
the highest end. If, on that day, thou hadst not checked in battle all
the (Dhartarashtra) car-warriors headed by the Suta’s son, Drona
then would never have been slain. Thou heldst in check the whole
Dhartarashtra force. It was for this, O Dhananjaya, that Drona
could be slain by the son of Prishata. What other Kshatriya, save
thee, could in battle achieve such feats for compassing the
slaughter of Jayadratha. Checking the vast (Kaurava) army and
slaying many brave kings, thou killedest king Jayadratha, aided by
the might and energy of thy weapons. All the kings regarded the
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slaughter of the ruler of the Sindhus to have been exceedingly

wonderful. I, however, do not regard it so; thou didst it and thou
art a great car-warrior. If this vast assemblage of Kshatriyas,
obtaining thee as a foe, suffer extermination in course of even a
whole day, I should, I think, still regard these Kshatriyas to be
truly mighty. When Bhishma and Drona have been slain, the
terrible Dhartarashtra host, O Partha, may be regarded to have lost
all its heroes. Indeed, with all its foremost warriors slain, with its
steeds, cars, and elephants destroyed, the Bharata army looketh
today like the firmament, reft of the Sun, the Moon, and stars.
Yonder host of fierce prowess, O Partha, hath been shorn of its
splendours today like the Asura host in days of yore shorn of its
splendours by Sakra’s prowess. The remnant of that grand master
now consists of only five great car-warriors, viz., Ashvatthama,
Kritavarma, Karna, Shalya, and Kripa. Slaying those five great
car-warriors today, O tiger among men, be thou a hero that hath
killed all his foes, and bestow thou the Earth with all her islands
and cities on king Yudhishthira. Let Pritha’s son Yudhishthira of
immeasurable energy and prosperity, obtain today the whole earth
with the welkin above it, the waters on it, and the nether regions
below it. Slaying this host like Vishnu in days of yore slaying the
Daityas and the Danavas, bestow the Earth on the king like Hari
bestowing (the three worlds) on Sakra. Let the Pancalas rejoice
today, their foes being slain, like the celestials rejoicing after the
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slaughter of the Danavas by Vishnu. If in consequence of thy

regard for that foremost of men, viz., thy preceptor Drona, thou
cherishest compassion for Ashvatthama, if, again, thou hast any
kindness for Kripa for the sake of respect that is due to a
preceptor, if, approaching Kritavarma, thou dost not despatch him
today to Yama’s abode in consequence of the honour that is due to
one’s kinsmen by the mother’s side, if, O lotus-eyed one,
approaching thy mother’s brother, viz., Shalya, the ruler of the
Madras, thou dost not from compassion slay him, I ask thee, do
thou, with keen shafts, O foremost of men slay Karna today with
speed, that vile wretch of sinful heart who cherisheth the fiercest
hate for the son of Pandu. This is thy noblest duty. There is
nothing in it that would be improper. We approve of it, and here
is no fault in the act. The wicked-souled Karna is the root, O thou
of unfading glory, of that attempt, O sinless one, made in the night
for burning thy mother with all her children, and of that conduct
which Suyodhana adopted towards you in consequence of that
match at dice. Suyodhana always hopeth for deliverance through
Karna. Filled with rage, he endeavours to afflict me also (in
consequence of that support). It is the firm belief of
Dhritarashtra’s royal son, O giver of honours, that Karna, without
doubt, will slay all the Prithas in battle. Though fully acquainted
with thy might, still, O son of Kunti, Dhritarashtra’s son hath
selected war with you in consequence of his reliance on Karna.
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Karna also always says, ‘I will vanquish the assembled Parthas

and that mighty car-warrior, viz., Vasudeva of Dasharha’s race’.
Buoying up the wicked-souled son of Dhritarashtra, the wicked
Karna always roareth in the (Kuru) assembly. Slay him today, O
Bharata. In all the acts of injury, of which Dhritarashtra’s son hath
been guilty towards you, the wicked-souled Karna of sinful
understanding hath been the leader. I saw the heroic son of
Subhadra of eyes like those of a bull, slain by six mighty car-
warriors of cruel heart belonging to the Dhritarashtra army.
Grinding those bulls among men, viz., Drona, Drona’s son, Kripa
and other heroes, he deprived elephants of their riders and mighty
car-warriors of their cars. The bull-necked Abhimanyu, that
spreader of the fame of both the Kurus and the Vrishnis, deprived
steeds also of their riders and foot-soldiers of weapons and life.
Routing the (Kaurava) divisions and afflicting many mighty car-
warriors, he despatched innumerable men and steeds and
elephants to Yama’s abode. I swear by Truth to thee, O friend,
that my limbs are burning at the thought that while the son of
Subhadra was thus advancing, consuming the hostile army with
his shafts, even on that occasion the wicked-souled Karna was
engaged in acts of hostility to that hero, O lord! Unable, O Partha,
to stay in that battle before Abhimanyu’s face, mangled with the
shafts of Subhadra’s son, deprived of consciousness, and bathed in
blood, Karna drew deep breaths, inflamed with rage. At last,
441
afflicted with arrows, he was obliged to turn his back upon the
field. Eagerly desirous of flying away and becoming hopeless of
life, he stayed for some time in battle, perfectly stupefied and
exhausted with the wounds he had received. At last hearing those
cruel words of Drona in battle—words that were suited to the
hour—Karna cut off Abhimanyu’s bow. Made bowless by him in
that battle, five great car-warriors then, well-versed in the ways of
foul warfare, slew that hero with showers of shafts. Upon the
slaughter of that hero, grief entered the heart of everyone. Only,
the wicked-souled Karna and Suyodhana laughed in joy. (Thou
rememberest also) the harsh and bitter words that Karna cruelly
said unto Krishna in the (Kuru) assembly, in the presence of the
Pandavas and Kurus, ‘The Pandavas, O Krishna, are dead! They
have sunk into eternal hell! O thou of large hips, choose other
lords now, O thou of sweet speeches! Enter now the abode of
Dhritarashtra as a serving woman, for, O thou of curving eye-
lashes, thy husbands are no more! The Pandavas will not, O
Krishna, be of any service to thee today! Thou art the wife of men
that are slaves, O princess of Pancala, and thou art thyself, O
beautiful lady, a slave! Today only Duryodhana is regarded as the
one king on earth; all other kings of the world are worshipping the
agency by which his administration is kept up. Behold now, O
amiable one, how all the sons of Pandu have equally fallen!
Overwhelmed by the energy of Dhritarashtra’s son, they are now
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silently eyeing one another. It is evident that they are all sesame
seeds without kernel, and have sunk into hell. They will have to
serve the Kaurava (Duryodhana), that king of kings, as his slaves.’
Even these were the foul words that that wretch, viz., the sinful
Karna of exceedingly wicked heart, spoke on that occasion, in thy
hearing, O Bharata! Let gold-decked shafts whetted on stone and
capable of taking the life of him at whom they are sped, shot by
thee, quench (the fire of) those words and all the other wrongs that
that wicked-souled wight did unto thee. Let thy shafts quench all
those wrongs and the life also of that wicked wight. Feeling the
touch of terrible arrows sped from Gandiva, let the wicked-souled
Karna recollect today the words of Bhishma and Drona! Let foe-
killing cloth-yard shafts, equipped with the effulgence of
lightning, shot by thee, pierce his vital limbs and drink his blood!
Let fierce and mighty shafts, of great impetuosity, sped by thy
arms, penetrate the vitals of Karna today and despatch him to
Yama’s abode. Let all the kings of the earth, cheerless and filled
with grief and uttering wails of woe, behold Karna fall down from
his car today, afflicted with thy arrows. Let his kinsmen, with
cheerless faces, behold Karna today, fallen down and stretched at
his length on the earth, dipped in gore and with his weapons
loosened from his grasp! Let the lofty standard of Adhiratha’s son,
bearing the device of the elephant’s rope, fall fluttering on the
earth, cut off by thee with a broad-headed arrow. Let Shalya fly
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away in terror, abandoning the gold-decked car (he drives) upon

seeing it deprived of its warrior and steeds and cut off into
fragments with hundreds of shafts by thee. Let thy enemy
Suyodhana today, beholding Adhiratha’s son slain by thee,
despair of both his life and kingdom. Yonder, O Partha, Karna,
equal unto Indra in energy, or, perhaps, Sankara himself, is
slaughtering thy troops with his shafts. There the Pancalas,
though slaughtered by Karna with his whetted shafts, are yet, O
chief of Bharata’s race, rushing (to battle), for serving the cause of
the Pandavas. Know, O Partha, that is prevailing over the
Pancalas, and the (five) sons of Draupadi, and Dhrishtadyumna
and Shikhandi, and the sons of Dhrishtadyumna, and Satanika, the
son of Nakula, and Nakula himself, and Sahadeva, and Durmukha,
and Janamejaya, and Sudharman, and Satyaki! The loud uproar
made by those allies of thine, viz., the Pancalas, O scorcher of
foes, as they are being struck by Karna in dreadful battle, is heard.
The Pancalas have not at all been inspired with fear, nor do they
turn away their faces from the battle. Those mighty bowmen are
utterly reckless of death in great battle. Encountering even that
Bhishma who, single-handed, had encompassed the Pandava army
with a cloud of shafts, the Pancalas did not turn away their faces
from him. Then again, O chastiser of foes, they always strove with
alacrity to vanquish forcibly in battle their great foe, viz., the
invincible Drona, that preceptor of all wielders of the bow, that
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blazing fire of weapons, that hero who always burnt his foes in
battle. They have never turned their faces from battle, afraid of
Adhiratha’s son. The heroic Karna, however, with his shafts, is
taking the lives of the Pancala warriors endued with great activity
as they are advancing against him, like a blazing fire taking the
lives of myriads of insects. The son of Radha, in this battle, is
destroying in hundreds the Pancalas that are advancing against
him,--those heroes, that are resolved to lay down their lives for the
sake of their allies! It behoveth thee, O Bharata, to become a raft
and rescue those brave warriors, those great bowmen, that are
sinking in the raftless ocean represented by Karna. The awful
form of that weapon which was obtained by Karna from that
foremost of sages, viz., Rama of Bhrigu’s race, hath been
displayed. Scorching all the troops, that weapon of exceedingly
fierce and awful form is blazing with its own energy, surrounding
our vast army. Those arrows, sped from Karna’s bow, are
coursing in battle thick as swarm of bees, and scorching thy
troops. Encountering Karna’s weapon in battle, that is irresistible
by persons not having their souls under control, there the
Pancalas, O Bharata, are flying away in all directions! Yonder,
Bhima, of unappeasable wrath, surrounded on all sides by the
Srinjayas, is fighting with Karna, O Partha, afflicted by the latter
with keen shafts! If neglected, Karna will, O Bharata, exterminate
the Pandavas, the Srinjayas, and the Pancalas, like a neglected
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disease whose germ has entered the body. Save thee I do not see
another in Yudhishthira’s army that would come home safe and
sound, having encountered the son of Radha in battle. Slaying that
Karna today with thy keen shafts, O bull among men, act
according to thy vow, O Partha, and win great fame. I tell thee
truly, thou only art able to vanquish in battle the Kaurava host
with Karna amongst them, and no one else, O foremost of
warriors! Achieving this great feat, viz., slaying the mighty car-
warrior Karna, attain thy object, O Partha, and crowned with
success, be happy, O best of men!’”
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“Sanjaya said, ‘Hearing these words of Keshava, O Bharata,

Vibhatsu soon cast off his anxiety and became cheerful. Rubbing
then the string of gandiva and stretching it, he held his bow for the
destruction of Karna, and addressed Keshava, saying, ‘With thee
for my protector, O Govinda, and when thou that art acquainted
with the past and the future art gratified with me today, victory is
sure to be mine. Aided by thee, O Krishna, I can, in great battle,
destroy the three worlds assembled together, what need be said of
Karna then? I see the Pancala host is flying away, O Janardana. I
see also Karna careering fearlessly in battle. I see too the bhargava
weapon careering in all directions, having been invoked by Karna,
O thou of Vrishni’s race, like the puissant thunder invoked by
Shakra. This is that battle in which Karna will be slain by me and
of which all creatures will speak as long as the earth will last.
Today, O Krishna, unbarbed arrows, impelled by my arms and
sped from the gandiva, mangling Karna, will take him to Yama.
Today king Dhritarashtra will curse that intelligence of his in
consequence of which he had installed Duryodhana, who was
undeserving of sovereignty, on the throne. Today, O mighty-
armed one, Dhritarashtra will be divested of sovereignty,
happiness, prosperity, kingdom, city, and sons. I tell thee truly, O
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Krishna, that today, Karna being slain, Duryodhana will become

hopeless of both life and kingdom. Today, beholding Karna cut in
pieces by me with my arrows, like Vritra in days of yore by Indra
in the battle between the gods and the asuras, let king Duryodhana
call to mind the words thou hast spoken for bringing about peace.
Today let the son of Subala, O Krishna, know that my shafts are
dice, my gandiva the box for throwing them, and my car, the
chequered cloth. O Govinda, slaying Karna with keen shafts I will
dispel the long sleeplessness of Kunti’s son. Today the royal son
of Kunti, upon the slaughter of the Suta’s son by me, shall be
gratified and be of cheerful heart and obtain happiness for ever.
Today, O Keshava, I will shoot an irresistible and unrivalled
arrow that will deprive Karna of life. Even this, O Krishna, was
the vow of that wicked-souled one about my slaughter, viz., ‘I will
not wash my feet till I slay Phalguna.’ Falsifying this vow of that
wretch, O slayer of Madhu, I will, with straight shafts, throw
down his body today from his car. Today the earth will drink the
blood of that Suta’s son who in battle condemns all other men on
earth! With Dhritarashtra’s approbation, the Suta’s son Karna,
boasting of his own merits, had said, ‘Thou hast no husband now,
O Krishna!’ My keen shafts will falsify that speech of his. Like
angry snakes of virulent poison, they will drink his life-blood.
Cloth-yard shafts, of the effulgence of the lightning, shot by
myself possessed of mighty arms, sped from Gandiva, will send
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Karna on his last journey. Today the son of Radha will repent for
those cruel words that he said unto the princess of Pancala in the
midst of the assembly, in disparagement of the Pandavas! They
that were on that occasion sesame seeds without kernel, will today
become seeds with kernel after the fall of the Suta’s son Karna of
wicked soul, otherwise called Vaikartana! ‘I will save ye from the
sons of Pandu!’—even these were the words that Karna, bragging
of his own merits, said unto the sons of Dhritarashtra! My keen
shafts will falsify that speech of his! Today, in the very sight of all
the bowmen, I will slay that Karna who said, ‘I will slay all the
Pancalas with their sons.’ Today, O slayer of Madhu, I will slay
that Karna, that son of Radha, relying on whose prowess the proud
son of Dhritarashtra, of wicked understanding, always disregarded
us. Today, O Krishna, after Karna’s fall, the Dhartarashtras with
their king, struck with panic, will fly away in all directions, like
deer afraid of the lion. Today let king Duryodhana repent upon the
slaughter of Karna, with his sons and relatives, by me in battle.
Today, beholding Karna slain, let the wrathful son of
Dhritarashtra, O Krishna, know me to be the foremost of all
bowmen in battle. Today, I will make king Dhritarashtra, with his
sons and grandsons and counsellors and servants, shelterless.
Today, cranes and other carnivorous birds will, O Keshava, sport
over the limbs of Karna cut off into pieces with my shafts. Today,
O slayer of Madhu, I will cut off in battle the head of Radha’s son
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Karna, in the very sight of all the bowmen. Today, O slayer of

Madhu, I will cut off in battle the limbs of Radha’s son of wicked
soul with keen vipathas and razor-faced arrows. Today, the heroic
king Yudhishthira will cast off a great pain and a great sorrow
cherished long in his heart. Today, O Keshava, slaying the son of
Radha, with all his kinsmen, I will gladden king Yudhishthira, the
son of Dharma. Today, I will slay the cheerless followers of Karna
in battle, with shafts resembling the blazing fire or the poison of
the snake. Today, with my straight shafts equipped with vulturine
feathers, I will, O Govinda, cause the earth to be strewn with (the
bodies of) kings cased in golden armour. Today, O slayer of
Madhu, I will, with keen shafts, crush the bodies and cut off the
heads of all the foes of Abhimanyu. Today, I will bestow the
earth, divested of Dhartarashtras on my brother, or, perhaps, thou,
O Keshava, wilt walk over the earth divested of Arjuna! Today, O
Krishna, I will free myself from the debt I owe to all bowmen, to
my own wrath, to the Kurus, to my shafts, and to gandiva. Today,
I will be freed from the grief that I have cherished for thirteen
years, O Krishna, by slaying Karna in battle like Maghavat
slaying Samvara. Today, after I have slain Karna in battle, let the
mighty car-warriors of the Somakas, who are desirous of
accomplishing the task of their allies, regard their task as
accomplished. I do not know what will be the measure, O
Madhava, of the joy of Sini’s grandson today after I shall have
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slain Karna and won the victory. Today, I will slay Karna in battle
as also his son, that mighty car-warrior, and give joy to Bhima and
the twins and Satyaki. Today, slaying Karna in dreadful battle, I
will pay off my debt, O Madhava, to the Pancalas with
Dhrishtadyumna and Shikhandi! Today let all behold the wrathful
Dhananjaya fight with the Kauravas in battle and slay the Suta’s
son. Once more there is none equal to me in the world. In
prowess also, who is there that resembles me? What other man is
there that is equal to me in forgiveness? In wrath also, there is no
one that is equal to me. Armed with the bow and aided by the
prowess of my arms, I can vanquish the Asuras and the gods and
all creatures united together. Know that my prowess is higher than
the highest. Alone assailing all the Kurus and the Bahlikas with
the fire of my shafts issuing from Gandiva, I will, putting forth my
might, burn them with their followers like a fire in the midst of a
heap of dry grass at the close of winter. My palms bear these
marks of arrows and this excellent and outstretched bow with
arrow fixed on the string. On each of the soles of my feet occur
the mark of a car and a standard. When a person like me goeth
forth to battle, he cannot be vanquished by any one.” Having said
these words unto Acyuta, that foremost of all heroes, that slayer of
foes, with blood red eyes, proceeded quickly to battle, for rescuing
Bhima and cutting off the head from Karna’s trunk.’”
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“Dhritarashtra said, ‘In that awful and fathomless encounter of the

Pandavas and the Srinjayas with the warriors of my army, when
Dhananjaya, O sire, proceeded for battle, how, indeed, did the
fight occur?’
“Sanjaya said, ‘The innumerable divisions of the Pandava army,

decked with lofty standards and swelling (with pride and energy)
and united together in battle, began to roar aloud, drums and other
instruments constituting their mouth, like masses of clouds at the
close of summer uttering deep roars. The battle that ensued
resembled a baneful shower out of season, cruel and destructive of
living creatures. Huge elephants were its clouds; weapons were
the water they were to pour; the peal of musical instruments, the
rattle of car-wheels, and the noise of palms, constituted their roar;
diverse weapons decked with gold formed their flashes of
lightning; and arrows and swords and cloth-yard shafts and
mighty weapons constituted their torrents of rain. Marked by
impetuous onsets blood flowed in streams in that encounter.
Rendered awful by incessant strokes of the sword, it was fraught
with a great carnage of Kshatriyas. Many car-warriors, united
together, encompassed one car-warrior and despatched him to
Yama’s presence. Or, one foremost of car-warriors despatched a
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single adversary, or one despatched many adversaries united

together. Again, some one car-warrior despatched to Yama’s
abode some one adversary along with his driver and steeds. Some
one rider, with a single elephant, despatched many car-warriors
and horsemen. Similarly, Partha, with clouds of shafts, despatched
large number of cars with drivers and steeds, of elephants and
horses with their riders, and of foot-soldiers, belonging to the
enemy. Kripa and Shikhandi encountered each other in that battle,
while Satyaki proceeded against Duryodhana. And Srutasravas
was engaged with Drona’s son, and Yudhamanyu with Citrasena.
The great Srinjaya car-warrior Uttamauja was engaged with
Karna’s son Sushena, while Sahadeva rushed against Shakuni, the
king of the Gandharas, like a hungry lion against a mighty bull.
The youthful Satanika, the son of Nakula, rushed against the
youthful Vrishasena, the son of Karna, shooting showers of shafts.
The heroic son of Karna struck that son of the princess of Pancala
with many arrows. Conversant with all modes of warfare,
Madri’s son Nakula, that bull among car-warriors, assailed
Kritavarma. The king of the Pancalas, Dhrishtadyumna, the son of
Yajnasena, attacked Karna, the commander of the Kaurava army,
with all his forces. Duhshasana, O Bharata, with the swelling host
of the samsaptakas forming a portion of the Bharata army, fiercely
attacked in that battle Bhima, that foremost of warriors of
irresistible impetuosity. The heroic Uttamauja, putting forth his
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strength struck the son of Karna and cut off his head which fell
down on the earth, filling the earth and the welkin with a loud
noise. Beholding the head of Sushena lying on the ground, Karna
became filled with grief. Soon, however, in rage he cut off the
steeds, the car, and the standard, of his son’s slayer with many
keen shafts. Meanwhile Uttamauja, piercing with his keen shafts
and cutting off with his bright sword the steeds of Kripa and those
warriors also that protected Kripa’s sides, quickly ascended the
car of Shikhandi. Beholding Kripa deprived of his car, Shikhandi
who was on his vehicle, wished not to strike him with his shafts.
The son of Drona then, covering with his own the car of Kripa,
rescued the latter like a bull sunk in a mire. Meanwhile Bhima, the
son of the Wind-god clad in golden mail, began to scorch with his
keen arrows the troops of thy sons like the mid-day sun scorching
everything in the summer season.’”
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“Sanjaya said, ‘During the progress of the fierce engagement,

Bhima, while fighting along, being encompassed by innumerable
foes, addressed his driver, saying, “Bear me into the midst of the
Dhartarashtra host. Proceed, O charioteer, with speed, borne by
these steeds. I will despatch all these Dhartarashtras to the
presence of Yama.” Thus urged by Bhimasena, the charioteer
proceeded, quickly and with great impetuosity, against thy son’s
host to that spot whence Bhima desired to slaughter it. Then a
large number of Kaurava troops, with elephants and cars and
horse and foot, advanced against him from all sides. They then,
from every side, began to strike that foremost of vehicles
belonging to Bhima, with numerous arrows. The high-souled
Bhima, however, with his own shafts of golden wings, cut off all
those advancing arrows of his enemies. Thus cut off into two or
three fragments with Bhima’s arrows, those shafts, equipped with
golden wings, of his enemies, fell down on the earth. Then, O
king, amongst those foremost of Kshatriyas, struck with Bhima’s
shafts, the elephants and cars and horse and foot, set up a loud
wail, O monarch, that resembled the din made by mountains when
riven with thunder. Thus struck by Bhima, those foremost of
Kshatriyas, their limbs pierced with Bhima’s powerful shafts,
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rushed against Bhima in that battle from every side, like new-
fledged birds towards a tree. When thy troops thus rushed against
him, Bhima of furious impetuosity displayed all his vim like
Destroyer himself armed with a mace when he burns and
exterminates all creatures at the end of the Yuga. Thy soldiers
were unable to resist in that battle that fierce forcible energy of
Bhima endued with fierce impetuosity, like that of the Destroyer
himself of wide open mouth when he rusheth at the end of the
Yuga for exterminating all creatures. Then, O Bharata, like
masses of clouds scattered by the tempest the Bharata host, thus
mangled and burnt in that battle by the high-souled Bhima, broke
and fled in fear in all directions. Then the mighty Bhimasena of
great intelligence once more cheerfully said unto his charioteer,
“Ascertain, O Suta, whether those assembled cars and standards
that are advancing towards me, are ours or the enemy’s. Absorbed
in battle, I am unable to distinguish them. Let me not shroud our
own troops with my shafts. O Visoka, beholding hostile warriors
and cars and the tops of their standards on all sides, I am greatly
afflicted. The king is in pain. The diadem-decked Arjuna also has
not yet come. These things, O Suta, fill my heart with sorrow.
Even this is my grief, O charioteer, that king Yudhishthira the just
should have gone away, leaving me in the midst of the enemy. I
do not know whether he, as also Vibhatsu, is alive or dead. This
adds to my sorrow. I shall, however, though filled with great grief,
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destroy those hostile troops of great might. Thus slaughtering in

the midst of battle my assembled foes, I shall rejoice with thee
today. Examining all the quivers containing my arrows, tell me, O
Suta, ascertaining the matter well, what quantity of arrows is still
left on my car, that is, how much of what sort.”
“’Thus commanded, Visoka said, “Of arrows, O hero, thou hast

yet 60,000, while thy razor-headed shafts number 10,000, and
broad-headed ones number as much. Of cloth-yard shafts thou
hast still 2,000, O hero, and of Pradaras thou hast still, O Partha,
3,000! Indeed, of the weapons, O son of Pandu, the portion that
still remains is not capable of being borne, if placed on carts, by
six bullocks. Shoot and hurl them, O learned one, for of maces
and swords and other weapons used with the arms alone, thou hast
thousands upon thousands, as also lances and scimitars and darts
and spears! Never fear that thy weapons will be exhausted.”
“’Bhima said, “Behold, O Suta, today this awful battle in which

everything will be shrouded with my impetuous arrows sped
fiercely from my bow and, mangling all my foes, and in
consequence of which the very sun will disappear from the field,
making the latter resemble the domains of Death! Today, even this
will be known to all the Kshatriyas including the very children, O
Suta, that Bhimasena hath succumbed in battle or that, alone, he
hath subjugated all the Kurus! Today, let all the Kauravas fall in
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battle or let all the world applaud me, beginning with the feats of
my earliest years. Alone, I will overthrow them all, or let all of
them strike Bhimasena down. Let the gods that aid in the
achievement of the best acts bless me. Let that slayer of foes
Arjuna come here now like Sakra, duly invoked, quickly coming
to a sacrifice. Behold, the Bharata host is breaking! Why do those
kings fly away? It is evident that Savyasaci, that foremost of men,
is quickly shrouding that host with his shafts. Behold, those
standards, O Visoka, and elephants and steeds and bands of foot-
soldiers are flying away. Behold, these cars, assailed with shafts
and darts, with those warriors riding on them, are being scattered,
O Suta! Yonder, the Kaurava host, assailed with the shafts,
equipped with wings of gold and feathers of peacocks, of
Dhananjaya, and resembling thunderbolts in force, though
slaughtered extensively, is repeatedly filling its gaps. There, cars
and steeds and elephants are flying away, crushing down bands of
foot-soldiers. Indeed, all the Kauravas, having lost their sense, are
flying away, like elephants filled with panic at a forest
conflagration, and uttering cries of woe. These huge elephants,
again, O Visoka, are uttering loud cries, assailed with shafts.”
“’Visoka said, “How is it, O Bhima, that thou dost not hear the
loud twang of the yawning Gandiva stretched by Partha in wrath?
Are these two ears of thine gone? All thy wishes, O son of Pandu,
have been fulfilled! Yonder the Ape (on Arjuna’s banner) is seen
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in the midst of the elephant force (of the enemy). Behold, the
string of Gandiva is flashing repeatedly like lightning amid blue
clouds. Yonder the Ape on Dhananjaya’s standard-top is
everywhere seen to terrify hostile divisions in this dreadful battle.
Even I, looking at it, am struck with fear. There the beautiful
diadem of Arjuna is shining brilliantly. There, the precious jewel
on the diadem, endued with the splendour of the sun, looketh
exceedingly resplendent. There, beside him, behold his conch
Devadatta of loud blare and the hue of a white cloud. There, by
the side of Janardana, reins in hand, as he penetrates into the
hostile army, behold his discus of solar effulgence, its nave hard
as thunder, and its edge sharp as a razor. Behold, O hero, that
discus of Keshava, that enhancer of his fame, which is always
worshipped by the Yadus. There, the trunks, resembling lofty
trees perfectly straight, of huge elephants, cut off by Kiritin, are
falling upon the earth. There those huge creatures also, with their
riders, pierced and split with shafts, are falling down, like hills
riven with thunder. There, behold, O son of Kunti, the
Panchajanya of Krishna, exceedingly beautiful and of the hue of
the moon, as also the blazing Kaustubha on his breast and his
triumphal garland. Without doubt, that first and foremost of all
car-warriors, Partha, is advancing, routing the hostile army as he
comes, borne by his foremost of steeds, of the hue of white
clouds, and urged by Krishna. Behold those cars and steeds and
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bands of foot-soldiers, mangled by thy younger brother with the

energy of the chief of the celestials. Behold, they are falling down
like a forest uprooted by the tempest caused by Garuda’s wings.
Behold, four hundred car-warriors, with their steeds and drivers,
and seven hundred elephants and innumerable foot-soldiers and
horsemen slain in this battle by Kiritin with his mighty shafts.
Slaughtering the Kurus, the mighty Arjuna is coming towards thy
side even like the constellation Citra. All thy wishes are fulfilled.
Thy foes are being exterminated. Let thy might, as also the period
of thy life, ever increase.”
“’Bhima said, “Since, O Visoka, thou tellest me of Arjuna’s

arrival, I will give thee four and ten populous villages and a
hundred female slaves and twenty cars, being pleased with thee, O
Suta, for this agreeable intelligence imparted by thee!”’”
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“Sanjaya said, ‘Hearing the roars of cars and the leonine shouts
(of the warriors) in battle, Arjuna addressed Govinda, saying,
“Urge the steeds to greater speed.” Hearing these words of
Arjuna, Govinda said unto him, “I am proceeding with great speed
to the spot where Bhima is stationed.” Then many lions among
men (belonging to the Kaurava army), excited with wrath and
accompanied by a large force of cars and horse and elephants and
foot-soldiers and making the earth resound with the whizz of their
arrows, the rattle of their car wheels, and the tread of their horses’
hoofs, advanced against Jaya (Arjuna) as the latter proceeded for
victory, borne by his steeds white as snow or conchs and decked
in trappings of gold and pearls and gems like the chief of the
celestials in great wrath proceeding, armed with the thunder,
against (the asura) Jambha for slaying him. Between them and
Partha, O sire, occurred a great battle destructive of body, life, and
sin, like the battle between the asuras and the god Vishnu, that
foremost of victors for the sake of the three worlds. Alone, Partha,
decked with diadem and garlands, cut off the mighty weapons
sped by them, as also their heads and arms in diverse ways, with
his razor-faced and crescent-shaped and broad-headed arrows of
great keenness. Umbrellas, and yak-tails for fanning, and
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standards, and steeds, and cars, and bands of foot-soldiers, and

elephants, fell down on the earth, mutilated in diverse ways, like a
forest broken down by a tempest. Huge elephants, decked in
caparisons of gold and equipped with triumphal standards and
warriors (on their backs), looked resplendent, as they were pierced
with shafts of golden wings, like mountains ablaze with light.
Piercing elephants and steeds and cars with excellent shafts
resembling Vasava’s thunder, Dhananjaya proceeded quickly for
the slaughter of Karna, even as Indra in days of yore for riving
(the asura) Vala. Then that tiger among men, that mighty-armed
chastiser of foes, penetrated into thy host like a makara into the
ocean. Beholding the son of Pandu, thy warriors, O king,
accompanied by cars and foot-soldiers and a large number of
elephants and steeds, rushed against him. Tremendous was the din
made by them as they advanced against Partha, resembling that
made by the waters of the ocean lashed into fury by the tempest.
Those mighty car-warriors, resembling tigers (in prowess) all
rushed in that battle against that tiger among men, abandoning all
fear of death. Arjuna, however, routed the troops of those leaders
of the Kurus as they advanced, shooting at him showers of
weapons, like a tempest driving off masses of congregated clouds.
Those great bowmen, all skilled in smiting, united together and
proceeded against Arjuna with a large number of cars and began
to pierce him with keen shafts. Then Arjuna, with his shafts,
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despatched to Yama’s abode several thousands of cars and

elephants and steeds. While those great car-warriors in that battle
were thus struck with shafts sped from Arjuna’s bow, they were
filled with fear and seemed to disappear one after another from
their cars. In all, Arjuna, with his sharp arrows, slew four hundred
of those heroic car-warriors exerting themselves vigorously in
battle. Thus struck in that battle with sharp shafts of diverse kinds,
they fled away on all sides, avoiding Arjuna. Tremendous was the
uproar made at the van of the army by those warriors as they
broke and fled, like that made by the surging sea when it breaks
upon a rock. Having routed with his arrows that army struck with
fright, Pritha’s son Arjuna then proceeded, O sire, against the
division of the Suta’s son. Loud was the noise with which Arjuna
faced his foes, like that made by Garuda in days of yore when
swooping down for snakes. Hearing that sound, the mighty
Bhimasena, desirous as he had been of obtaining a sight of Partha,
became filled with joy. As soon as the valiant Bhimasena heard of
Partha’s arrival, he began, O monarch, to grind thy troops,
reckless of his very life. Possessed of prowess equal to that of the
wind, the valiant Bhima, the son of the Wind-god, began to career
in that battle like the wind itself. Afflicted by him, O monarch, thy
army, O king, began to reel like a wrecked vessel on the bosom of
the sea. Displaying his lightness of hands, Bhima began to cut and
mangle that host with his fierce arrows and despatch large
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numbers to the abode of Yama. Beholding on that occasion the

superhuman might of Bhima, O Bharata, like that of the Destroyer
at the end of the Yuga, thy warriors became filled with fright.
Seeing his mightiest soldiers thus afflicted by Bhimasena, O
Bharata, king Duryodhana addressed all his troops and great
bowmen, O bull of Bharata’s race, commanding them to slay
Bhima in that battle, since upon Bhima’s fall he would regard the
Pandava troops already exterminated. Accepting that command of
thy son, all the kings shrouded Bhima with showers of shafts from
every side. Innumerable elephants, O king, and men inspired with
desire of victory, and cars, and horse, O monarch, encompassed
Vrikodara. Thus encompassed by those brave warriors on all
sides, O king, that hero, that chief of Bharata’s race, looked
resplendent like the Moon surrounded by the stars. Indeed, as the
Moon at full within his corona looks beautiful, even so that best of
men, exceedingly handsome, looked beautiful in that battle. All
those kings, with cruel intent and eyes red in wrath, inflicted upon
Vrikodara their arrowy downpours, moved by the desire of
slaying him. Piercing that mighty host with straight shafts, Bhima
came out of the press like a fish coming out of a net, having slain
10,000 unretreating elephants, 200,200 men, O Bharata, and 5,000
horses, and a hundred car-warriors. Having slaughtered these,
Bhima caused a river of blood to flow there. Blood constituted its
water, and cars its eddies; and elephants were the alligators with
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which it teemed. Men were its fishes, and steeds its sharks, and
the hair of animals formed its woods and moss. Arms lopped off
from trunks formed its foremost of snakes. Innumerable jewels
and gems were carried along by the current. Thighs constituted its
gravels, and marrow its mire. And it was covered with heads
forming its rocks. And bows and arrows constituted the rafts by
which men sought to cross that terrible river, and maces and
spiked bludgeons formed its snakes. And umbrellas and standards
formed its swans, and head-gears its foam. Necklaces constituted
its lotuses, and the earthy dust that arose formed its waves. Those
endued with noble qualities could cross it with ease, while those
that were timid and affrighted found it exceedingly difficult to
cross. Warriors constituting its crocodiles and alligators, it ran
towards the region of Yama. Very soon, indeed, did that tiger
among men cause that river to flow. Even as the terrible Vaitarani
is difficult of being crossed by persons of unrefined souls, that
bloody river, terrible and enhancing the fears of the timid, was
difficult to cross. Thither where that best of car-warriors, the son
of Pandu, penetrated, thither he felled hostile warriors in hundreds
and thousands. Seeing those feats achieved in battle by
Bhimasena, Duryodhana, O monarch, addressing Shakuni, said,
“Vanquish, O uncle, the mighty Bhimasena in battle. Upon his
defeat the mighty host of the Pandavas may be regarded as
defeated.” Thus addressed, O monarch, the valiant son of Subala,
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competent to wage dreadful battle, proceeded, surrounded by his

brothers. Approaching in that battle Bhima of terrible prowess, the
heroic Shakuni checked him like the continent resisting the ocean.
Though resisted with keen shafts, Bhima, disregarding them all,
proceeded against the sons of Subala. Then Shakuni, O monarch,
sped a number of cloth-yard shafts equipped with wings of gold
and whetted on stone, at the left side of Bhima’s chest. Piercing
through the armour of the high-souled son of Pandu, those fierce
shafts, O monarch, equipped with feathers of Kankas and
peacocks, sunk deep into his body. Deeply pierced in that battle,
Bhima, O Bharata, suddenly shot at Subala’s son a shaft decked
with gold. The mighty Shakuni however, that scorcher of foes, O
king, endued with great lightness of hands, cut off into seven
fragments that terrible arrow as it coursed towards him. When his
shaft fell down on the earth, Bhima, O king, became highly
enraged, and cut off with a broad-headed arrow the bow of
Subala’s son with the greatest ease. The valiant son of Subala
then, casting aside that broken bow, quickly took up another and
six and ten broad-headed arrows. With two of those straight and
broad-headed arrows, O monarch, he struck Bhima himself, with
one he cut off Bhima’s standard, and with two, his umbrella. With
the remaining four, the son of Subala pierced the four steeds of his
antagonist. Filled with rage at this, the valiant Bhima, O monarch,
hurled in that battle a dart made of iron, with its staff adorned with
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gold. That dart, restless as the tongue of a snake, hurled from

Bhima’s arms, speedily fell upon the car of the high-souled son of
Subala. The latter then, filled with wrath, O monarch, took up that
same gold-decked dart and hurled it back at Bhimasena. Piercing
through the left arm of the high-souled son of Pandu, it fell down
on the earth like lightning flashed down from the sky. At this, the
Dhartarashtras, O monarch, set up a loud roar all around. Bhima,
however, could not bear that leonine roar of his foes endued with
great activity. The mighty son of Pandu then, quickly taking up
another stringed bow, in a moment, O monarch, covered with
shafts the soldiers of Subala’s son in that battle, who were fighting
reckless of their very lives. Having slain his four steeds, and then
his driver, O king, Bhima of great prowess next cut off his
antagonist’s standard with a broad-headed arrow without losing a
moment. Abandoning with speed that steedless car, Shakuni, that
foremost of men, stood on the ground, with his bow ready drawn
in his hands, his eyes red like blood in rage, and himself breathing
heavily. He then, O king, struck Bhima from every side with
innumerable arrows. The valiant Bhima, baffling those shafts, cut
off Shakuni’s bow in rage and pierced Shakuni himself, with
many keen arrows. Deeply pierced by his powerful antagonist,
that scorcher of foes, O king, fell down on the earth almost
lifeless. Then thy son, O monarch, seeing him stupefied, bore him
away from battle on his car in the very sight of Bhimasena. When
467
that tiger among men, Shakuni was thus taken up on

Duryodhana’s car, the Dhartarashtra troops, turning their faces
from battle, fled away on all sides inspired with fear on that
occasion of great terror due to Bhimasena. Upon the defeat of
Subala’s son, O king, by that great bowman, Bhimasena, thy son
Duryodhana, filled with great fright, retreated, borne away by his
fleet steeds, from regard for his maternal uncle’s life. Beholding
the king himself turn away from the battle, the troops, O Bharata,
fled away, from the encounters in which each of them had been
engaged. Seeing all the Dhartarashtra troops turn away from battle
and fly in all directions, Bhima rushing impetuously, fell upon
them, shooting many hundreds of shafts. Slaughtered by Bhima,
the retreating Dhartarashtras, O king, approaching the spot where
Karna was, once more stood for battle, surrounding him. Endued
with great might and great energy, Karna then became their
refuge. Finding Karna, O bull of Bharata’s race, thy troops
became comforted and stood cheerfully, relying upon one another,
like shipwrecked mariners, O tiger of men, in their distressful
plight, when at last they reach an island. They then, once more,
making death itself their goal, proceeded against their foes for
battle.’”
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“Dhritarashtra said, ‘When our troops were broken in battle by

Bhimasena, what, O Sanjaya, did Duryodhana and Subala’s son
say? Or, what did Karna, that foremost of victors, or the warriors
of my army in that battle, or Kripa, or Kritavarma, or Drona’s son
Duhshasana, say? Exceedingly wonderful, I think, is the prowess
of Pandu’s son, since, single-handed, he fought in battle with all
the warriors of my army. Did the son of Radha act towards the
(hostile) troops according to his vow? That slayer of foes, Karna,
O Sanjaya, is the prosperity, the armour, the fame, and the very
hope of life, of the Kurus. Beholding the army broken by Kunti’s
son of immeasurable energy, what did Karna, the son of Adhiratha
and Radha, do in that battle? What also did my sons, difficult of
defeat in battle, do, or the other kings and mighty car-warriors of
our army? Tell me all this, O Sanjaya, for thou art skilled in
narration!’
“Sanjaya said, ‘In that afternoon, O monarch, the Suta’s son of

great valour began to smite all the Somakas in the very sight of
Bhimasena. Bhima also of great strength began to destroy the
Dhartarashtra troops. Then Karna, addressing (his driver) Shalya,
said unto him, “Bear me to the Pancalas.” Indeed, beholding his
army in course of being routed by Bhimasena of great
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intelligence, Karna once more addressed his driver, saying, ‘Bear

me to the Pancalas only.’ Thus urged, Shalya, the ruler of the
Madras, endued with great might, urged those white steeds that
were fleet as thought, towards the Cedis, the Pancalas and the
Karushas. Penetrating then into that mighty host, Shalya, that
grinder of hostile troops, cheerfully conducted those steeds into
every spot that Karna, that foremost of warriors, desired to go to.
Beholding that car cased in tiger skins and looking like a cloud,
the Pandus and the Pancalas, O monarch, became terrified. The
rattle then of that car, like unto the peal of thunder or the sound of
a mountain splitting into fragments, became audible in that
dreadful battle. With hundreds upon hundreds of keen arrows sped
from the bow-string drawn to his ear, Karna then smote hundreds
and thousands of warriors belonging to the Pandava army. While
the unvanquished Karna was employed in achieving those feats,
many mighty bowmen and great car-warriors among the Pandavas
encompassed him on all sides. Indeed, Shikhandi, and Bhima, and
Dhrishtadyumna, the son of Prishata, and Nakula, and Sahadeva,
and the (five) sons of Draupadi, and Satyaki, surrounded the son
of Radha, pouring showers of arrows upon him, from desire of
despatching him to the other world. The heroic Satyaki, that best
of men, struck Karna in that engagement with twenty keen shafts
in the shoulder-joint. Shikhandi struck him with five and twenty
shafts, and Dhrishtadyumna struck him with seven, and the sons
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of Draupadi with four and sixty, and Sahadeva with seven, and
Nakula with a hundred, in that battle. The mighty Bhimasena, in
that encounter, filled with rage, struck the son of Radha in the
shoulder-joint with ninety straight shafts. The son of Adhiratha,
then, of great might laughing in scorn, and drawing his excellent
bow let off many keen shafts, afflicting his foes. The son of
Radha pierced each of them in return with five arrows. Cutting off
the bow of Satyaki, as also his standard, O bull of Bharata’s race,
Karna pierced Satyaki himself with nine shafts in the centre of the
chest. Filled with wrath, he then pierced Bhimasena with thirty
shafts. With a broad-headed arrow, O sire, he next cut off the
standard of Sahadeva, and with three other arrows, that chastiser
of foes afflicted Sahadeva’s driver. Within the twinkling of an eye
he then deprived the (five) sons of Draupadi of their cars, O bull
of Bharata’s race, which seemed exceedingly wonderful. Indeed,
with his straight shafts casting those heroes to turn back from the
fight, the heroic Karna began to slay the Pancalas and many
mighty car-warriors among the Cedis. Thus struck in that battle. O
monarch, the Cedis and the Matsyas, rushing against Karna alone,
poured upon him showers of shafts. The Suta’s son, however, that
mighty car-warrior, began to smite them with his keen shafts. I
beheld this exceedingly wonderful feat. O Bharata, viz., that the
Suta’s son of great prowess, alone and unsupported in that battle,
fought with all those bowmen who contended with him to the
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utmost of their prowess, and checked all those Pandava warriors,

O monarch, with his shafts. With the lightness of hand, O Bharata,
of the high-souled Karna on that occasion, all the gods as also the
Siddhas and the Charanas were gratified. All the great bowmen
among the Dhartarashtras also, O best of men, applauded Karna,
that foremost of great car-warriors, that first of all bowmen. Then
Karna, O monarch, burnt the hostile army like a mighty and
blazing conflagration consuming a heap of dry grass in the
summer season. Thus slaughtered by Karna, the Pandava troops,
struck with fear, fled in all directions, at the very sight of Karna.
Loud wails arose there among the Pancalas in that great battle,
while they were thus struck with the keen shafts sped from
Karna’s bow. Struck with fear at the noise, the vast host of the
Pandavas, those enemies of Karna, regarded him as the one
warrior in that battle. Then that crusher of foes, viz., the son of
Radha, once more achieved an exceedingly wonderful feat,
inasmuch as all the Pandavas, united together, were unable to
even gaze at him. Like a swelling mass of water breaking when it
comes in contact with a mountain, the Pandava army broke when
it came in contact with Karna. Indeed, O king, the mighty-armed
Karna in that battle, burning the vast host of the Pandavas, stood
there like a blazing fire without smoke. With great activity that
hero, with his shafts, cut off the arms and the heads of his brave
foes, O king, and their ears decked with earrings. Swords with
472
hilts of ivory, and standards, and darts, and steeds, and elephants,
and cars of diverse kind, O king, and banners, and axles, and
yokes, and wheels of many kinds, were cut off in various ways by
Karna, observant of a warrior’s vow. There, O Bharata, with
elephants and steeds slain by Karna, the earth became impassable
and miry with flesh and blood. The uneven and even spots also of
the field, in consequence of slain horse and foot and broken cars
and dead elephants, could no longer be distinguished. The
combatants could not distinguish friends from foes in that thick
darkness caused by shafts when Karna’s (celestial) weapon was
displayed. The mighty car-warriors of the Pandavas, O monarch,
were completely shrouded with shafts, decked with gold, that
were sped from Karna’s bow. Those mighty car-warriors of the
Pandavas, O king, in that battle, though struggling vigorously,
were repeatedly broken by the son of Radha, even as a herd of
deer in the forest is routed by an angry lion. Routing the foremost
of Pancala car-warriors and (other) foes, Karna of great fame, in
that battle, slew the Pandava warriors like a wolf slaying smaller
animals. Beholding the Pandava army turn away from battle, the
Dhartarashtra bowmen of great might rushed against the retreating
host uttering terrible shouts. Then Duryodhana, O monarch, filled
with great delight, caused diverse musical instruments to be
beaten and blown in all parts of the army. The great bowmen
amongst the Pancalas, those foremost of men, though broken,
473
returned heroically to the fight, making death their goal. The son
of Radha, however, that bull among men and scorcher of foes, O
monarch, in that battle, broke those returned heroes in diverse
ways. There, O Bharata twenty car-warriors among the Pancalas
and more than a hundred Cedi warriors were slain by Karna with
his shafts. Making the terraces of cars and the backs of steeds
empty, O Bharata, and slaying the combatants that fought from
the necks of elephants, and routing the foot-soldiers, that scorcher
of foes, the Suta’s son of great bravery, became incapable of being
gazed at like the mid-day sun and looked resplendent like the
Destroyer himself at the end of the Yuga. Thus, O monarch, that
slayer of foes, that mighty bowmen, Karna, having slain foot,
horse, car-warriors, and elephants, stood there on his car. Indeed,
like the Destroyer himself of great might standing after slaying all
creatures, the mighty car-warrior Karna stood alone, having slain
the Somakas. The prowess that we then beheld of the Pancalas
seemed to be exceedingly wonderful, for, though thus struck by
Karna, they refused to fly away from that hero at the head of
battle. At that time, the king (Duryodhana), and Duhshasana, and
Kripa, the son of Sharadvata, and Ashvatthama, and Kritavarma,
and Shakuni also of great might, slaughtered the Pandava warriors
in hundreds and thousands. The two sons also of Karna, O
monarch, those two brothers of prowess incapable of being
baffled, filled with rage, slaughtered the Pandava army in several
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parts of the field. The battle at that place was dreadful and cruel
and the carnage that occurred was very great. Similarly the
Pandava heroes, Dhrishtadyumna and Shikhandi and the (five)
sons of Draupadi, filled with rage, slaughtered thy host. Even thus
a great destruction took place among the Pandavas everywhere on
the field, and even thus thy army also suffered great loss at the
hands of the mighty Bhima.’”
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79
“Sanjaya said, ‘Meanwhile Arjuna, O monarch, having slain the

four kinds of forces (of the enemy), and having obtained a sight of
the angry son of the Suta in that dreadful battle, caused a river of
blood to flow there that was tawny with flesh and marrow and
bones. Human heads constituted its rocks and stones. Elephants
and steeds formed its banks. Full of the bones of heroic
combatants, it resounded with the cries of ravens and vultures.
Umbrellas were its swans or rafts. And that river ran, bearing
away heroes like trees along its current. (Even) necklaces
constituted its assemblage of lotuses, and head-gears formed its
excellent foam. Bows and shafts constituted its fishes; and the
crowns of crushed men floated on its surface. Shields and armour
were its eddies, and cars were the rafts with which it teemed. And
it could be easily forded by persons desirous of victory, while to
those that were cowards it was unfordable. Having caused that
river to flow, Vibhatsu, that slayer of hostile heroes and bull
among men, addressing Vasudeva said, “Yonder, O Krishna, the
standard of the Suta’s son is visible. There, Bhimasena and others
are fighting with that great car-warrior. There, the Pancalas, afraid
of Karna, are flying away, O Janardana. Yonder, king
Duryodhana, with the white umbrella over his head, along with
476
Karna, looketh exceedingly resplendent as he is engaged in

routing the Pancalas. There Kripa, and Kritavarma, and Drona’s
son, that mighty car-warrior, are protecting king Duryodhana,
themselves protected by the Suta’s son. There, O Krishna, Shalya,
well conversant with holding the reins, looketh exceedingly
resplendent as, seated on the terrace of Karna’s car, he guideth
that vehicle. Bear me to that mighty car-warrior, for even such is
the wish cherished by me. Without slaying Karna in this battle I
will never return. Otherwise, the son of Radha, O Janardana, will,
in my sight, exterminate the mighty car-warriors of the Parthas
and the Srinjayas.” Thus addressed, Keshava quickly proceeded
on his car, towards the mighty bowman Karna, for causing a
single combat to take place between Karna and Savyasaci. Indeed,
the mighty-armed Hari, at the command of Pandu’s son,
proceeded on his car, assuring (by that very act) all the Pandava
troops. The rattle then of Arjuna’s vehicle rose loud in that battle,
resembling, O sire, the tremendous peal of Vasu’s thunder.
Beholding Arjuna of white steeds and having Krishna for his
driver thus advance, and seeing the standard of that high-souled
one, the king of the Madras, addressing Karna, said, “There
cometh that car-warrior having white steeds yoked unto his
vehicle and having Krishna for his driver, slaying his foes in
battle. There cometh he about whom thou wert enquiring, holding
his bow Gandiva. If thou canst slay him today, great good may
477
then be done to us. He cometh, O Karna, desirous of an encounter

with thee, slaying, as he cometh, our chief warriors. Do thou
proceed against that hero of Bharata’s race. Avoiding all our
warriors, Dhananjaya advanceth with great speed, for, as I think,
an encounter with thee, judging by his form swelling with rage
and energy. Blazing with wrath, Partha will not stop from desire
of battle with anybody else save thee, especially when Vrikodara
is being so much afflicted (by thee). Learning that king
Yudhishthira the just hath been exceedingly mangled and made
carless by thee, and seeing (the plight of) Shikhandi, and Satyaki,
and Dhrishtadyumna, the son of Prishata, and the (five) sons of
Draupadi, and Yudhamanyu, and Uttamauja, and the brothers,
Nakula and Sahadeva, that scorcher of foes, Partha, advanceth
impetuously on a single car against thee. Without doubt, he is
advancing with speed against us, avoiding other combatants. Do
thou, O Karna, proceed against him, for there is no other bowman
(among us that can do so). I do not behold any arrangements made
for his protection, either on his flanks or at his rear. He advanceth
alone against thee. Look after thy success now. Thou alone art
able to encounter the two Krishnas in battle. Proceed, therefore,
against Dhananjaya. Thou art the equal of Bhishma, of Drona, of
Drona’s son, of Kripa. Do thou resist in this great battle the
advancing Savyasaci. Indeed, O Karna, slay this Dhananjaya that
resembles a snake frequently darting out its tongue, or a roaring
478
bull, or a tiger in the forest. There, those kings, those mighty car-
warriors of the Dhritarashtra’s army, through fear of Arjuna, are
quickly flying away, regardless of one another. Save thee, O
Suta’s son, there is no other man, O hero, that can, in battle, dispel
the fears of those retreating combatants. All those Kurus, O tiger
among men, obtaining thee as their refuge in this battle, stand
depending on thee and desirous of thy protection. Mustering thy
great prowess, O mighty-armed one, proceed against Vrishni’s
race, who is always gratified by the diadem-decked (Arjuna).”
“’Karna said, “Thou seemest now to be in thy usual frame of mind

and thou art now agreeable to me. Do not, O mighty-armed one,
entertain any fear of Dhananjaya. Behold the might of my arms
today, and behold my skill. Single-handed, I will today destroy
the mighty host of the Pandavas, as also those two lions among
men, the two Krishnas! I say this truly unto thee. I will never
return from the field today without slaying two heroes. Or, slain
by those two, I shall today sleep on the field of battle. Victory is
uncertain in battle. Slaying or slain, I shall today achieve my
purpose.”
“’Shalya said, “All great car-warriors, O Karna, say that this

foremost of car-warriors, (Arjuna), even when alone, is invincible.
When again, he is protected by Krishna, who will venture to
vanquish him?”
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“’Karna said, “As far as I have heard, such a superior car-warrior

has never been born on earth! Behold my prowess, since I will
contend in battle with even that Partha who is such. This prince of
Kuru’s line, this foremost of car-warriors, careers in battle, borne
by his steeds white in hue. Perhaps he will despatch me to Yama’s
abode today. Know, however, that with Karna’s death, these all
will be exterminated. The two arms of this prince are never
covered with sweat. They never tremble. They are massive and
covered with cicatrices. Firm in the use of weapons, he is
possessed of great skill and endued with great lightness of hands.
Indeed, there is no warrior equal to the son of Pandu. He taketh a
large number of arrows and shooteth them as if they were one.
Quickly fixing them on the bow-string, he propelleth them to the
distance of two miles. They always fall on the foe. What warriors
is there on earth that is equal to him? That Atiratha, endued with
great activity, with Krishna as his ally, gratified the god Agni at
Khandava. There, on that occasion, the high-souled Krishna
obtained his discus, and Savyasaci, the son of Pandu, obtained his
bow Gandiva. There that mighty-armed one, endued with might
that knows no decay, also obtained his terrible car unto which are
yoked those white steeds, as also his two great celestial and
inexhaustible quivers, and many celestial weapons, from the God
of Fire. In the region of Indra he obtained his conch Devadatta
and slew innumerable Daityas, and all the Kalakeyas. Who is
480
there on earth that is superior to him? Possessed of greatness of

soul, he gratified Mahadeva himself in fair fight, and obtained
from him the terrible and mighty weapon Pasupata that is capable
of destroying the three worlds. The several Regents of the world,
united together gave him their weapons of immeasurable energy,
with which that lion among men quickly destroyed in battle those
united Asuras, the Kalakhanjas. So also, in Virata’s city, moving
on a single car he vanquished all of us, and snatched from us that
wealth of kine, and took from all the foremost of car-warriors
(portions of) their garments. Challenging that foremost of
Kshatriyas, that hero having him of Vrishni’s race for his ally, that
warrior who is endued with such energy and such attributes, I
regard myself, O Shalya, to be the foremost of persons in all the
world in point of courage. He is, again, protected by that Keshava
of great energy, who is Narayana himself and who is without a
rival, that high-souled Vasudeva, that ever-victorious Vishnu
armed with conch, discus, and mace, whose attributes all the
world united together, cannot (in narrating) exhaust in 10,000
years. Beholding the two Krishnas together on the same car, fear
entereth my heart together with courage. Partha is the foremost of
all bowmen, while Narayana is unrivalled in encounters with the
discus. Even such are Vasudeva, and the son of Pandu. Indeed,
the mountains of Himavat may move from the spot where they
stand but not the two Krishnas. Both of them are heroes,
481
possessed of great skill, firm in the use of weapons, and mighty

car-warriors. Both of them have adamantine frames. Who else, O
Shalya, save myself, would proceed against Phalguna and
Vasudeva that are even such? The desire cherished by me today,
viz., that of a battle with the son of Pandu, O ruler of the Madras,
will be fulfilled without delay. Soon will that wonderful and
matchless and beautiful battle take place. Either I will overthrow
those two in battle today, or the two Krishnas will today
overthrow me.” Saying these words unto Shalya, Karna, that
slayer of foes, began to utter loud roars in that battle, like those of
the clouds. Approaching then thy son, that foremost one among
the Kurus, and saluted respectfully by him, Karna said unto that
prince as also unto those two mighty-armed warriors, Kripa and
the Bhoja chief Kritavarma, and the ruler of the Gandharvas with
his son, and the preceptors and his own younger brothers, and all
the foot-soldiers and horsemen and elephant-riders, these words,
“Rush towards Acyuta and Arjuna and close up their path all
around, and cause them to be tired with exertion, so that, ye lords
of the earth, I may easily slay those two after ye all will have
mangled them deeply.” Saying, “So be it!” those foremost of
heroes, desirous of slaying Arjuna, speedily proceeded against
him. Those mighty car-warriors then, obeying the behest of
Karna, began to strike Dhananjaya with innumerable arrows in
that battle. Like the great ocean containing a vast quantity of
482
water receiving all rivers with their tributaries Arjuna received all
those warriors in battle. His foes could not notice when he fixed
his excellent arrows on the bow-string and when he let them off.
All that could be seen was that men and steeds and elephants,
pierced with the arrows sped by Dhananjaya, continually fell
down, deprived of life. Like men with diseased eyes that are
unable to gaze at the sun, the Kauravas on that occasion could not
gaze at Jaya who seemed to be possessed of the energy of the all-
destroying Sun that rises at the end of the Yuga, having arrows for
his rays, and Gandiva for his beautiful circular disc. Smiling the
while, Partha with his own showers of arrows cut off the excellent
arrows sped at him by those mighty car-warriors. In return, he
struck them with innumerable arrows, drawing his bow Gandiva
to a complete circle. As the sun of fierce rays between the months
of Jyaishtha and Ashadha easily drieth up the waters (of the
earth), even so Arjuna, baffling the arrows of his foes, consumed
thy troops, O king of kings! Then Kripa, and the chief of the
Bhojas, and thy son himself shooting showers of shafts, rushed
towards him. Drona’s son also, that mighty car-warrior, rushed
towards him, shooting his shafts. Indeed, all of them rained their
arrows on him, like the clouds pouring torrents of rain on a
mountain. The son of Pandu, however, with great activity and
speed, cut off with his own shafts those excellent arrows sped at
him with great care in that dreadful battle by those accomplished
483
warriors desirous of slaying him, and pierced the chest of each of

his adversaries with three shafts. Having arrows for his fierce
rays, the Arjuna sun, with gandiva drawn to its fullest stretch
constituting his corona, looked resplendent, as he scorched his
foes, like the Sun himself between the months of Jyeshtha and
Ashadha, within his bright corona. Then Drona’s son pierced
Dhananjaya with ten foremost of shafts, and Keshava with three,
and the four steeds of Dhananjaya with four, and showered many
shafts on the Ape on Arjuna’s banner. For all that, Dhananjaya cut
off the full drawn bow in his adversary’s hand with three shafts,
the head of his driver with a razor-faced arrow, and his four steeds
with his four other shafts and his standard with three other arrows
and felled him from his car. The son of Drona then, filled with
wrath, took up another costly bow, bright as the body of
Takshaka, and decked with gems and diamonds and gold, and
resembling a mighty snake caught from the foot of a mountain.
Stringing that bow as he stood on the earth, and bringing out one
after another shafts and weapons, Drona’s son, that warrior who
excelled in many accomplishments, began to afflict those two
unvanquished and foremost of men and pierce them from a near
point with many shafts. Then those mighty car-warriors, Kripa
and Bhoja and thy son, standing at the van of battle, fell upon and
shrouded that bull among the Pandavas, shooting showers of
shafts, like clouds shrouding the dispeller of darkness. Possessed
484
of prowess equal to that of the thousand-armed (Kartavirya),

Partha then showered his shafts on Kripa’s bow with arrow fixed
on it, his steeds, his standard, and his driver, like the wielder of
the thunder in days of yore showering his shafts on (the asura)
Vali. His weapons destroyed by Partha’s shafts, and his standard
also having been crushed in that great battle, Kripa was afflicted
with as many thousands of arrows by Arjuna as Ganga’s son
Bhishma before them (on the day of his fall) by the same
diademdecked warrior. The valiant Partha, then, with his shafts,
cut off the standard and the bow of thy roaring son. Destroying
next the handsome steeds of Kritavarma, he cut off the latter’s
standard as well. He then began to destroy with great speed the
elephants of the hostile force, as also its cars with their steeds and
drivers and bows and standards. Thereupon that vast host of thine
broke into a hundred parts like an embankment washed off by the
waters. Then Keshava, quickly urging Arjuna’s car, placed all his
afflicted foes on his right side. Then other warriors, desirous of an
encounter, with their well-equipped cars bearing lofty standards,
followed Dhananjaya who was proceeding with great speed like
Indra proceeding for the slaughter of Vritra. Then those mighty
car-warriors, Shikhandi and Satyaki and the twins, proceeding in
the direction of Dhananjaya, checked those foes and, piercing
them with keen arrows, uttered terrible roars. Then the Kuru
heroes and the Srinjayas, encountering one another with rage,
485
slew one another with straight shafts of great energy, like the
Asuras and the celestials in days of yore in great battle. Elephant-
warriors and horsemen and car-warriors,--all chastisers of foes,--
inspired with desire of victory or impatient of proceeding to
heaven, fell fast on the field. Uttering loud shouts, they pierced
one another vigorously with well-shot arrows. In consequence of
those high-souled warriors of great courage shooting their arrows
at one another in that dreadful battle and by that means causing a
darkness there, the points of the compass, cardinal and subsidiary
became enveloped in gloom and the very effulgence of the sun
became totally shrouded.’”
486
80
“Sanjaya said, ‘Then, O king, Dhananjaya, desirous of rescuing

Kunti’s son Bhima who, assailed by many, foremost of warriors
of the Kuru army, seemed to sink (under that attack), avoided, O
Bharata, the troops of the Suta’s son and began, with his shafts, to
despatch those hostile heroes (that were opposed to Bhima) to the
regions of death. Successive showers of Arjuna’s shafts were seen
overspread on the sky, while others were seen to slay thy army.
Filling the welkin with his shafts that resembled dense flights of
feathery creatures, Dhananjaya, O monarch, at that time, became
the very Destroyer unto the Kurus. With his broad-headed arrows,
and those equipped with heads flat and sharp as razors, and cloth-
yard shafts of bright polish, Partha mangled the bodies of his foes
and cut off their heads. The field of battle became strewn with
falling warriors, some with bodies cut and mangled, some
divested of armour and some deprived of heads. Like the great
Vaitarani (separating the regions of life from those of the dead),
the field of battle, O king, became uneven and impassable and
unsightly and terrible, in consequence of steeds and cars and
elephants, which struck with Dhananjaya’s shafts, were mangled
and crushed and cut off in diverse ways. The earth was also
covered with broken shafts and wheels and axles, and with cars
487
that were steedless or that had their steeds and others that were
driverless or that had their drivers. Then four hundred well-trained
and ever-furious elephants, excited with wrath, and ridden by
warriors cased in mail of golden hue and adorned with ornaments
of gold, and urged by fierce guides with pressure of heels and
toes, fell down, struck by the diadem-decked Arjuna with his
shafts, like loosened summits, peopled with living creatures, of
gigantic mountains. Indeed, the earth became covered with (other)
huge elephants struck down by Dhananjaya with his arrows. Like
the sun piercing through masses of clouds, Arjuna’s car passed
through dense bodies of elephants with juicy secretions flowing
down their bodies and looking like masses of clouds. Phalguna
caused his track to be heaped up with slain elephants and steeds,
and with cars broken in diverse ways, and with lifeless heroes
deprived of weapons and engines and of armour, as also with arms
of diverse kinds loosened from hands that held them. The twang
of Gandiva became tremendously loud, like the peal of thunder in
the welkin. The (Dhartarashtra) army then, smitten with the shafts
of Dhananjaya, broke, like a large vessel on the bosom of the
ocean violently lashed by the tempest. Diverse kinds of fatal
shafts, sped from Gandiva, and resembling burning brands and
meteors and thunderbolts, burnt thy army. That mighty host, thus
afflicted with Dhananjaya’s shafts, looked beautiful like a blazing
forest of bamboos on a mountain in the night. Crushed and burnt
488
and thrown into confusion, and mangled and massacred by the

diadem-decked Arjuna with his arrows, that host of thine then fled
away on all sides. Indeed, the Kauravas, burnt by Savyasaci,
dispersed on all sides, like animals in the great forest frightened at
a forest conflagration. The Kuru host then (that had assailed
Bhimasena) abandoning that mighty-armed hero, turned their
faces from battle, filled with anxiety. After the Kurus had been
routed, the unvanquished Vibhatsu, approaching Bhimasena,
stayed there for a moment. Having met Bhima and held a
consultation with him, Phalguna informed his brother that the
arrows had been extracted from Yudhishthira’s body and that the
latter was perfectly well.
“’With Bhimasena’s leave, Dhananjaya then proceeded (once

more against his foes), causing the earth and the welkin, O
Bharata, to resound with the rattle of his car. He was then
surrounded by ten heroic and foremost of warriors, viz., thy sons,
all of whom were Duhshasana’s juniors in age. Afflicting Arjuna
with their shafts like hunters afflicting an elephant with burning
brands, those heroes, with outstretched bow, seemed to dance, O
Bharata, (on their cars). The slayer of Madhu then, guiding his,
car placed all of them to his right. Indeed, he expected that Arjuna
would very soon send all of them to Yama’s presence. Beholding
Arjuna’s car proceeding in a different direction, those heroes
rushed towards him. Soon, however, Partha, with a number of
489
cloth-yard shafts and crescent-shaped arrows, cut off their

standards and steeds and bows and arrows, causing them to fall
down on the earth. Then with some broad-headed arrows he cut
off and felled their heads decked with lips bit and eyes blood-red
in rage. Those faces looked beautiful like an assemblage of
lotuses. Having slain those ten Kauravas cased in golden mail,
with ten broad-headed shafts endued with great, impetuosity and
equipped with wings of gold that slayer of foes, Arjuna continued
to proceed.’”
490
81
“Sanjaya said, ‘Meanwhile ninety Kaurava car-warriors rushed for

battle against the ape-bannered Arjuna who was advancing, borne
by his steeds of exceeding fleetness. Those tigers among men,
having sworn a terrible oath about the other world, encompassed
that tiger among men, Arjuna. Krishna, however, (without
minding those warriors), urged the white steeds of Arjuna, endued
with great speed and adorned with ornaments of gold and covered
with networks of pearls, towards Karna’s car. Those ninety
Samsaptaka cars pursued Dhananjaya, that slayer of foes, pouring
upon him showers of shafts, as he proceeded towards Karna’s car.
Then Arjuna, with his keen shafts, cut off those ninety assailants
endued with great activity, along with their drivers and bows and
standards. Slain by the diadem-decked Arjuna with diverse kinds
of shafts, they fell down like Siddhas falling down, with their cars,
from heaven upon the exhaustion of their merits. After this, many
Kauravas, with cars and elephants and steeds, fearlessly advanced
against that foremost one of Kuru’s race, that chief of the
Bharatas, Phalguna. That large force of thy sons, teeming with
struggling men and steeds, and swelling with foremost of
elephants, then encompassed Dhananjaya, checking his further
progress. The mighty Kaurava bowmen shrouded that descendant
491
of Kuru’s race with darts and swords and lances and spears and
maces and scimitars and arrows. Like the Sun destroying the
darkness with his rays, the son of Pandu destroyed with his own
shafts that shower of weapons over-spread in the welkin. Then a
force of Mlecchas riding thirteen hundred ever-infuriated
elephants, at the command of thy son, assailed Partha in the flank.
With barbed arrows and Nalikas and cloth-yard shafts and lances
and spears and darts and Kampanas and short arrows, they
afflicted Partha on his car. That matchless shower of weapons,
some of which were hurled by the elephants with their tusks,
Phalguna cut off with his broad-headed shafts and crescent-shaped
arrows of great keenness. With excellent arrows of diverse kinds,
he struck all those elephants and their standards and banners and
riders, like Indra striking mountains with thunderbolts. Afflicted
with gold-winged shafts, those huge elephants decked with
necklaces of gold fell down deprived of life, like mountains ablaze
with volcanic fires. Amid that roaring and shouting and wailing
army of men and elephants and steeds, the twang of Gandiva, O
monarch, rose high. Elephants, O king, struck (with shafts), fled
away on all sides. Steeds also, their riders slain, wandered in all
directions. Cars, O monarch, looking like the changeful forms of
vapour in the sky, deprived of riders and steeds, were seen in
thousands. Horsemen, O monarch, wandering hither and thither,
were seen to fall down deprived of life by the shafts of Partha. At
492
that time the might of Arjuna’s arms was seen. (So great was that
might) that alone, in that battle, he vanquished horsemen and
elephants and car-warriors (that had been assailing him from
every side). Then Bhimasena, beholding the diadem-decked
Phalguna encompassed, O bull of Bharata’s race, by a large
(Kaurava) host consisting of three kinds of forces, abandoned the
small unslaughtered remnant of the Kaurava car-warriors with
whom he had been engaged, and rushed impetuously, O king, to
the spot where Dhananjaya’s car was. Meanwhile the Kaurava
force that still remained after heavy slaughter, exceedingly
weakened, fled away, Bhima (as already said) beholding Arjuna,
proceeded towards his brother. The unfatigued Bhima, armed with
a mace, destroyed, in that battle, the portion that still remained
after the greater part had been slaughtered by Arjuna, of the
Kaurava host possessed of great might. Fierce as the death-night,
subsisting upon men and elephants and steeds as its food, and
capable of crushing walls and mansions and gates of cities, that
exceedingly terrible mace of Bhima incessantly descended on men
and elephants and steeds around him. That mace, O sire, slew
numberless steeds and riders. With that mace the son of Pandu
crushed men and steeds cased in steel armour. Struck therewith,
they fell down with great noise. Biting the earth with their teeth,
and bathed in blood, these, with the crowns of their heads and
bows and lower limbs crushed, laid themselves down on the field,
493
supplying all carnivorous creatures with food. Satiated with blood

and flesh and marrow, and eating bones as well, that mace (of
Bhimasena) became, like the death-night, difficult of being gazed
at. Having slain 10,000 horses and numerous foot-soldiers, Bhima
ran hither and thither in rage, armed with his mace. Then, O
Bharata, thy troops, beholding Bhima mace in hand, thought that
Yama himself, armed with his fatal bludgeon, was in their midst.
The son of Pandu then, excited with rage, and resembling an
infuriated elephant, penetrated into the elephant division (of the
Kauravas), like a Makara entering the ocean. Having, with his
formidable mace, penetrated into that elephant division, the
enraged Bhima, within a very short time, despatched it to Yama’s
abode. We then beheld those infuriated elephants with spiked
plates on their bodies falling on every side, with their riders and
standards, like winged mountains. Having destroyed that elephant
division, the mighty Bhimasena, once more riding on his car,
followed Arjuna at his rear. That great host, thus slaughtered,
filled with cheerlessness and about to fly away, stood almost
inactive, O monarch, assailed on all sides with weapons.
Beholding that host looking humble and standing inactive and
almost motionless, Arjuna covered it with life-scorching shafts.
Men and steeds and elephants, pierced in that battle with showers
of shafts by the wielder of Gandiva, looked beautiful like
Kadamva flowers with their filaments. Thus struck with Arjuna’s
494
shafts that quickly slew men and steeds and cars and elephants,
loud wails, O king, arose from the Kuru army. With cries of “Oh”
and “Alas,” and exceedingly frightened, and huddling close to one
another, thy army began to turn round with great speed. The
battle, however, continued between the Kurus and the Pandavas of
great might. There was not a single car-warrior or horseman or
elephant-warrior or steed or elephant that was unwounded. Their
coats of mail pierced with shafts and themselves bathed in blood,
the troops looked blazing like a forest of flowering Asokas.
Beholding Savyasaci putting forth his valour on that occasion, the
Kauravas became hopeless of Karna’s life. Regarding the touch of
Arjuna’s shafts to be unbearable, the Kauravas, vanquished by the
wielder of Gandiva, fled from the field. Deserting Karna in that
battle as they were being thus struck with Arjuna’s shafts, they
fled away in fear on all sides, loudly calling upon the Suta’s son
(to rescue them). Partha, however, pursued them, shooting
hundreds of shafts and gladdening the Pandava warriors headed
by Bhimasena. Thy sons then, O monarch, proceeded towards the
car of Karna. Sinking, as they seemed to be, in a fathomless
ocean, Karna then became an island unto them. The Kauravas, O
monarch, like snakes without poison, took Karna’s shelter, moved
by the fear of the wielder of Gandiva. Indeed, even as creatures, O
sire, endued with actions, from fear of death, take the shelter of
virtue, thy sons, O ruler of men, from fear of the high-souled son
495
of Pandu, took shelter with the mighty bowman Karna. Then,

Karna, uninspired with fear, addressed those distressed warriors
afflicted with arrows and bathed in blood, saying, ‘Do not fear!
Come to me!” Beholding thy army vigorously broken by Partha,
Karna, stretching his bow, stood desirous of slaughtering the foe.
Seeing that the Kurus had left the field, Karna, that foremost of all
wielders of weapons, reflecting a little, set his heart upon the
slaughter of Partha and began to draw deep breaths. Bending his
formidable bow, Adhiratha’s son Vrisha once more rushed against
the Pancalas, in the very sight of Savyasaci. Soon, however, many
lords of the earth, with eyes red as blood, poured their arrowy
downpours on him like clouds pouring rain upon a mountain.
Then thousands of arrows, O foremost of living creatures, shot by
Karna, O sire, deprived many Pancalas of their lives. Loud sounds
of wailing were uttered by the Pancalas, O thou of great
intelligence, while they were being thus smitten by the Suta’s son,
that rescuer of friends, for the sake of his friends.’”
496
82
“Sanjaya said, ‘After the Kurus, O king, had been put to flight by
the mighty car-warrior Arjuna of white steeds, the Suta’s son
Karna began to destroy the sons of the Pancalas with his mighty
shafts, like the tempest destroying congregated masses of clouds.
Felling Janamejaya’s driver with broad-faced shafts called
Anjalikas, he next slew the steeds of that Pancala warrior. With a
number of broad-headed arrows he then pierced both Satanika and
Sutasoma and then cut off the bows of both those heroes. Next he
pierced Dhrishtadyumna with six arrows, and then, without the
loss of a moment, he slew in that encounter the steeds of that
prince. Having slain next the steeds of Satyaki, the Suta’s son then
slew Visoka, the son of the ruler of the Kaikayas. Upon the
slaughter of the Kaikaya prince, the commander of the Kaikaya
division, Ugrakarman, rushed with speed and striking Prasena, the
son of Karna, with many shafts of fierce impetuosity caused him
to tremble. Then Karna, with three crescent-shaped arrows, cut off
the arms and the head of his son’s assailant, whereupon the latter,
deprived of life, fell down upon the ground from his car, like a
Sala tree with its branches lopped off with an axe. Then Prasena,
with many keen arrows of straight course, covered the steedless
grandson of Sini, and seemed to dance upon his car. Soon,
497
however, the son of Karna, struck by the grandson of Sini, fell

down. Upon the slaughter of his son, Karna, with heart filled with
rage, addressed that bull among the Sinis from desire of slaying
him, saying, “Thou art slain, O grandson of Sini!’ and sped at him
an arrow capable of slaying all foes. Then Shikhandi cut off that
arrow with three shafts of his, and struck Karna himself with three
other shafts. The fierce son of the Suta then, cutting off with a
couple of razor-faced arrows the bow and the standard of
Shikhandi, struck and pierced Shikhandi himself with six shafts,
and then cut off the head of Dhrishtadyumna’s son. The high-
souled son of Adhiratha then pierced Sutasoma with a very keen
shaft. During the progress of that fierce battle, and after
Dhrishtadyumna’s son had been slain, Krishna, O lion among
kings, addressed Partha, saying, “The Pancalas are being
exterminated. Go, O Partha, and slay Karna.” Thus addressed the
mighty-armed Arjuna, that foremost of men, smiled and then
proceeded on his car towards the car of Adhiratha’s son desirous,
on that occasion of terror, of rescuing the Pancalas slaughtered by
Karna, that leader of car-warriors. Stretching his Gandiva of loud
twang and fiercely striking his palms with her bow-string, he
suddenly created a darkness by means of his arrows and destroyed
large numbers of men and steeds and cars and standards. The
echoes (of that twang) travelled through the welkin. The birds, (no
longer finding room in their own element), took shelter in the
498
caverns of mountains. With his full-drawn bow, Arjuna looked

resplendent. Indeed, as the diadem-decked Partha, at that terrible
moment, fell upon the foe, Bhimasena, that foremost of heroes,
proceeded on his car behind that son of Pandu, protecting his rear.
Those two princes then, on their cars, proceeded with great speed
towards Karna, encountering their foes along the way. During that
interval, the Suta’s son fought fiercely, grinding the Somakas. He
slew a large number of car-warriors and steeds and elephants, and
covered the ten points of the compass with his shafts. Then
Uttamauja and Janamejaya, and the enraged Yudhamanyu and
Shikhandi, uniting with Prishata’s son (Dhrishtadyumna) and
uttering loud roars, pierced Karna with many shafts. Those five
foremost of Pancala car-warriors rushed against Karna otherwise
called Vaikartana, but they could not shake him off his car like the
objects of the senses failing to shake off the person of purified
soul from abstinence. Quickly cutting off their bows, standards,
steeds, drivers and banners, with his shafts, Karna struck each of
them with five arrows and then uttered a loud roar like a lion,
People then became exceedingly cheerless, thinking that the very
earth, with her mountains and trees, might split at the twang of
Karna’s bow while that hero, with shafts in hand touching the
bow-string, was employed in shooting at his assailants and slaying
his foes. Shooting his shafts with that large and extended bow of
his that resembled the bow of Sakra himself, the son of Adhiratha
499
looked resplendent like the sun, with his multitude of blazing rays,
within his corona. The Suta’s son then pierced Shikhandi with a
dozen keen shafts, and Uttamauja with half a dozen, and
Yudhamanyu with three, and then each of the other two, viz.,
Somaka (Janamejaya) and Prishata’s son (Dhrishtadyumna) with
three shafts. Vanquished in dreadful battle by the Suta’s son, O
sire, those five mighty car-warriors then stood inactive,
gladdening their foes, even as the objects of the senses are
vanquished by a person of purified soul. The five sons of
Draupadi then, with other well-equipped cars, rescued those
maternal uncles of theirs that were sinking in the Karna ocean,
like persons rescuing from the depths of the ocean ship-wrecked
merchants in the sea by means of other vessels. Then that bull
among the Sinis, cutting off with his own keen shafts the
innumerable arrows sped by Karna, and piercing Karna himself
with many keen arrows made entirely of iron, pierced thy eldest
son with eight shafts. Then Kripa, and the Bhoja chief
(Kritavarma), and thy son, and Karna himself, assailed Satyaki in
return with keen shafts. That foremost one, however, of Yadu’s
race fought with those four warriors like the chief of the Daityas
fighting with the Regents of the (four) quarters. With his twanging
bow stretched to its fullest limits, and from which shafts flowed
incessantly, Satyaki became exceedingly irresistible like the
meridian Sun in the autumnal sky. Those scorchers of foes then,
500
viz., the mighty car-warriors among the Pancalas, once more

riding on their cars and clad in mail and united together, protected
that foremost one among the Sinis, like the Maruts protecting
Sakra while engaged in afflicting his foes in battle. The battle
fraught with the slaughter of men and steeds and elephants that
then ensued between thy foes and the warriors of thy army,
became so fierce that it resembled the encounter in days of old
between the gods and the Asuras. Car-warriors and elephants and
steeds and foot-soldiers, covered with showers of diverse
weapons, began to move from one point to another. Struck by one
another, they reeled or uttered wails of woe in affliction or fell
down deprived of life. When such was the state of affairs, thy son
Duhshasana, the younger brother of the king, fearlessly advanced
against Bhima, shooting showers of shafts. Vrikodara also rushed
impetuously against him, like a lion springing towards a large
Ruru deer. The encounter then that took place between those two
heroes incensed with each other and who engaged in battle’s sport
making life itself the stake, became exceedingly fierce, resembled
that between Samvara and Sakra in days of old. They struck each
other deeply with shafts possessed of great energy and capable of
piercing each other’s body, like two mighty elephants excited with
lust and with juicy secretions incessantly trickling down their
bodies, fighting with each other in the vicinity of a she-elephant in
her season. Vrikodara, with great speed, cut off, with a couple of
501
razor-headed arrows, the bow and the standard of thy son. With
another winged arrow he pierced his antagonist’s forehead and
then (with a fourth) cut off from his trunk the head of the latter’s
driver. Prince Duhshasana, taking up another bow, pierced
Vrikodara with a dozen shafts. Himself holding the reins of his
steeds, he once more poured over Bhima a shower of straight
arrows. Then Duhshasana sped a shaft bright as the rays of the
sun, decked with gold, diamonds, and other precious gems,
capable of piercing the body of his assailant, and irresistible as the
stroke of Indra’s thunder. His body pierced therewith, Vrikodara
fell, with languid limbs and like one deprived of life and with
outstretched arms, upon his own excellent car. Recovering his
senses, however, he began to roar like a lion.’”
502
83
“Sanjaya said, ‘Fighting fiercely, prince Duhshasana achieved the

most difficult feats in that encounter. With a single shaft he cut off
Bhima’s bow, and then with six shafts he pierced his foe’s driver.
Having achieved those feats, the prince, endued with great
activity, pierced Bhima himself with nine shafts. Indeed the high-
souled warrior, without losing a moment, then pierced Bhimasena
with many shafts of great energy. Filled with rage at this,
Bhimasena, endued with great activity, sped at thy son a fierce
dart. Beholding that terrible dart impetuously coursing towards
him like a blazing brand, thy high-souled son cut it off with ten
shafts shot from his bow drawn to its fullest stretch. Seeing that
difficult feat achieved by him, all the warriors, filled with joy,
applauded him highly. Thy son then once more pierced Bhima
deeply with another shaft. Blazing with wrath at sight of
Duhshasana, Bhima then addressed him, saying, “Pierced I have
been, O hero, quickly and deeply, by thee. Bear now, however,
once more, the stroke of my mace.” Having said this, the enraged
Bhima took up that terrible mace of his for Duhshasana’s
slaughter. Once more addressing him, he said, “O thou of wicked
soul, I shall today drink thy blood on the field of battle.” Thus
addressed, thy son sped at Bhima with great force a fierce dart
503
resembling Death itself. Bhima also, his form filled with wrath,
whirled his terrible mace and hurled it at his antagonist. That
mace, precipitately breaking Duhshasana’s dart, struck thy son on
his head. Indeed, perspiring like an elephant with juicy secretions
trickling down his body, Bhima, in that dreadful battle, hurled his
mace at the prince. With that weapon, Bhimasena forcibly threw
Duhshasana down from his car at a distance measured by the
length of ten bows. Struck with the impetuous mace, Duhshasana,
thrown down on the ground, began to tremble. All his steeds also,
O king, were slain, and his car too was reduced to atoms by that
falling weapon. As regards Duhshasana himself, his armour and
ornaments and attire and garlands were all displaced, and he
began to writhe, afflicted with agony. Endued with great activity,
Bhimasena then recollected, in the midst of that terrible battle and
standing as he did amid many foremost warriors of the Kuru
army, all the acts of hostility (done towards the Pandavas) by thy
sons. The mighty-armed Bhima of inconceivable feats, O king,
beholding Duhshasana (in that plight), and recollecting the seizure
of Draupadi’s tresses and her disrobing while she was ill,--indeed,
the innocent Bhima, reflecting also upon the diverse other wrongs
inflicted on that princess while her husbands sat with faces turned
away from the scene, blazed up in wrath like fire fed with
libations of clarified butter. Addressing Karna and Suyodhana and
Kripa and Drona’s son and Kritavarma, he said, “Today I shall
504
slay the wretched Duhshasana. Let all the warriors protect him (if
they can).” Having said this, Bhima of exceeding strength and
great activity suddenly rushed, from desire of slaying Duhshasana.
Like a lion of fierce impetuosity rushing towards a mighty
elephant, Vrikodara, that foremost of heroes, rushed towards
Duhshasana in that battle and attacked him in the very sight of
Suyodhana and Karna. Jumping down from his car, he alighted on
the ground, and fixed his eyes steadfastly on his fallen foe.
Drawing then his whetted sword of keen edge, and trembling with
rage, he placed his foot upon the throat of Duhshasana, and
ripping open the breast of his enemy stretched on the ground,
quaffed his warm life-blood. Then throwing him down and
cutting off, O king, with that sword the head of thy son, Bhima of
great intelligence, desirous of accomplishing his vow, again
quaffed his enemy’s blood little by little, as if for enjoying its
taste. Then looking at him with wrathful eyes, he said these
words, “I regard the taste of this blood of my enemy to be superior
to that of my mother’s milk, or honey, or clarified butter, or good
wine that is prepared from honey, or excellent water, or milk, or
curds, or skimmed milk, or all other kinds of drinks there are on
earth that are sweet as ambrosia or nectar.” Once more, Bhima of
fierce deeds, his heart filled with wrath, beholding Duhshasana
dead, laughed softly and said, “What more can I do to thee? Death
has rescued thee from my hands.” They, O king, that saw
505
Bhimasena, while he filled with joy at having quaffed the blood of

his foe, was uttering those words and stalking on the field of
battle, fell down in fear. They that did not fall down at the sight,
saw their weapons drop from their hands. Many, from fear, cried
out feebly and looked at Bhima with half-shut eyes. Indeed, all
those that stood around Bhima and beheld him drink the blood of
Duhshasana, fled away, overwhelmed with fear, and saying unto
one another, “This one is no human being!” When Bhima had
assumed that form, people, beholding him quaff his enemy’s
blood, fled away with Citrasena, saying unto one another, ‘This
Bhima must be a rakshasa!” Then the (Pancala) prince
Yudhamanyu, at the head of his troops, fearlessly pursued the
retreating Citrasena and pierced him with seven keen shafts,
quickly sped one after another. At this, like a trampled snake of
great energy repeatedly darting out its tongue and desirous of
vomiting its poison, Citrasena turned back and pierced the Pancala
prince with three shafts and his driver with six. The brave
Yudhamanyu then struck off his enemy’s head with a shaft
equipped with goodly wings and an exceedingly keen point and
sped with great care from his bow drawn to its fullest stretch.
Upon the fall of his brother Citrasena, Karna, filled with wrath
and displaying his prowess, put the Pandava host to flight, at
which Nakula rushed against that warrior of immeasurable energy.
Bhima, having slain there (at the very sight of Karna) the
506
vindictive Duhshasana, took up a little quantity of his blood, and,

endued with stentorian lungs, he said these words in the hearing of
all those foremost of heroes of the world, “O wretch amongst
men, here I drink thy life-blood from thy throat. Filled with joy,
abuse us once more, saying ‘beast, beast’ (as thou didst before).”
And he continued, “They that danced at us then, saying, ‘beast,
beast,’ even we will dance at them now, repeating their own
words. Our sleep at the palace at Pramanakoti, the administration
of deadly poison to our food, the bites of black cobras, the setting
fire to the house of lac, the robbing of our kingdom by gambling,
our exile in the woods, the cruel seizure of Draupadi’s beautiful
tresses, the strokes of shafts and weapons in battle, our miseries at
home, the other kinds of sufferings we endured at Virata’s abode,
all these woes borne by us through the counsels of Shakuni and
Duryodhana and Radha’s son, proceeded from thee as their cause.
Through the wickedness of Dhritarashtra and his son, we have
endured all these woes. Happiness has never been ours.” Having
said these words, O king, the victorious Vrikodara, once more
spoke these words unto Keshava and Arjuna. Indeed, bathed in
blood, with blood flowing from his wounds, with face exceedingly
red, filled with great wrath, Bhimasena endued with great activity,
said these words, “Ye heroes, that which I had vowed in respect of
Duhshasana in battle, I have accomplished today. I will soon
accomplish my other vow by slaying that second beast, viz.,
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Duryodhana, in this sacrifice of battle. Striking the head of that

wicked-souled one with my foot in the presence of the Kauravas, I
shall obtain peace.” Having said these words, Bhima, filled with
great joy, drenched with blood, uttered loud shouts, even as the
mighty and high-souled Indra of a 1,000 eyes had roared after
slaying (the Asura) Vritra.’”
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84
“Sanjaya said, ‘After the slaughter of Duhshasana, O king, ten of

thy sons, heroes that never retreated from battle, all of whom were
great car-warriors, endued with mighty energy, and filled with the
poison of wrath, shrouded Bhima with their shafts. Nishangin, and
Kavachin, and Pasin and Dundadhara and Dhanurgraha, and
Alolupa, and Saha, and Shanda, and Vatavega and Suvarchasas,
these ten, afflicted at the slaughter of their brother, united together
and checked the mighty-armed Bhimasena with their shafts.
Resisted on all sides with their shafts by those great car-warriors,
Bhima, with eyes red as fire with fury, looked resplendent like the
Destroyer himself in rage. Partha, however, with ten broad-headed
shafts of great impetuosity, equipped with golden wings,
despatched to Yama’s abode those ten Bharata princes decked
with golden bracelets. Upon the fall of those ten heroes, thy army
fled away in the very sight of the Suta’s son, overwhelmed with
the fear of the Pandavas. Then, O king, great fear entered the
heart of Karna at sight of Bhima’s prowess which resembled that
of the Destroyer himself unto living creatures. Then Shalya, that
ornament of assemblies, understanding the state of Karna’s mind
from a survey of his features, addressed that chastiser of foes in
words suited to the hour, “Do not be grieved, O son of Radha!
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This deed does not become thee. Afflicted with the fear of
Bhimasena, these kings are all flying away. Exceedingly pained
by the calamity that has befallen his brother Duhshasana in
consequence of his blood having been quaffed by the high-souled
Bhima, Duryodhana is stupefied! Kripa and others, and those of
the king’s brothers that are still alive, with afflicted hearts, their
rage quelled by sorrow, are tending Duryodhana, sitting around
him. Those heroes, the Pandavas of sure aim, headed by
Dhananjaya, are advancing against thee for battle. For these
reasons, O tiger among men, mustering all thy prowess and
keeping the duties of a Kshatriya before thy eyes, proceed against
Dhananjaya. The entire burthen (of this battle) has been placed
upon thee by the son of Dhritarashtra. O thou of mighty arms,
bear that burthen to the best of thy power and might. In victory
there will be great fame. In defeat, heaven is certain. There, O son
of Radha, thy son, Vrishasena, filled with wrath at sight of the
stupefaction that has overwhelmed thee, is rushing towards the
Pandavas.” Hearing these words of Shalya of immeasurable
energy, Karna, reflecting, concluded unalterably that fighting had
become unavoidable. Then Vrishasena, filled with wrath, and
riding upon his own car, rushed towards that son of Pandu, viz.,
Vrikodara, who, armed with his mace, resembled the Destroyer
himself with his fatal rod and was employed in slaughtering thy
troops. That foremost of heroes, Nakula, filled with wrath, rushed
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at that enemy of theirs, Karna’s son, striking him with arrows, like
the victorious Maghavat with joyous heart rushing against (the
Asura) Jambha. Then the brave Nakula, with a razor-headed shaft,
cut off his enemy’s standard decked with gems. With a broad-
headed arrow, he next cut off the bow also of Karna’s son, with a
golden belt attached to it. Possessed of mighty weapons, Karna’s
son then, desirous of showing his regard for Duhshasana, quickly
took up another bow, and pierced Nakula, the son of Pandu with
many mighty celestial weapons. The high-souled Nakula, then,
filled with rage, pierced his antagonist with shafts that resembled
large blazing brands. At this Karna’s son also, accomplished in
weapons, showered celestial weapon upon Nakula. From rage
engendered by the strokes of his enemy’s weapon, as also from
his own resplendence and the energy of his weapons, the son of
Karna blazed up like a fire with libations of clarified butter.
Indeed, O king, Karna’s son then slew with his excellent weapons
the beautiful steeds of the delicate Nakula, that were of the
Vanayu breed, white in hue, and decked with trappings of gold.
Alighting then from his steedless vehicle, and taking up a bright
shield decked with golden moons, and armed also with a sword
that was blue as the sky, Nakula, frequently jumping up, careered
there like a bird. Performing diverse beautiful evolutions in the
air, the son of Pandu cut off many foremost of men and steeds and
elephants. Cut off with that sword, they fell down on the earth like
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animals cut off in a horse-sacrifice by the person appointed to that

duty. 2,000 well-trained heroes, delighting in battle, hailing from
diverse realms, well-paid, of sure aim, and their limbs smeared
with excellent sandal-paste, were quickly cut off by the single-
handed Nakula inspired with desire of victory. Then Karna’s son,
suddenly advancing with great speed against the rushing Nakula
in that battle pierced him from every side with many keen arrows
from desire of slaying him. Thus struck with shafts (by
Vrishasena), Nakula struck his brave antagonist in return. Pierced
by the son of Pandu, Vrishasena became filled with wrath.
Protected, however, in that dreadful battle, by his brother Bhima,
the high-souled Nakula achieved such terrible feats on that
occasion. Filled with rage, the son of Karna then pierced with
eighteen shafts the heroic Nakula who seemed to sport in that
battle, while employed, unaided, in destroying the foremost of
men and steeds and elephants. Deeply pierced by Vrishasena in
that battle, O king, Pandu’s son Nakula, that foremost of men,
endued with great activity, became filled with rage and rushed in
that encounter against the son of Karna from desire of slaying
him. Then Vrishasena poured showers of keen shafts upon Nakula
of great energy as the latter precipitately advanced against him in
that battle like a hawk with outstretched wings from desire of
meat. Baffling, however, his antagonist’s showers of shafts,
Nakula careered in diverse beautiful motions. Then Karna’s son,
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O king, in that dreadful battle, cut off, with his mighty shafts, the
shield, decked with a 1,000 stars, of Nakula, while he was
careering with great activity in those beautiful motions. Without
losing a moment, that resister of foes, (Vrishasena), with half a
dozen sharp razor-headed shafts, then cut off that naked sword of
Nakula, polished and keen-edged, made of steel, capable of
bearing a great strain and of destroying the bodies of all foes, and
terrible and fierce as the poison of the snake, while he was
whirling it rapidly. After this, Vrishasena deeply pierced his
antagonist in the centre of his chest with some well-tempered and
keen shafts. Having achieved those feats in battle that were
applauded by all noble persons and that could not be achieved by
other men, the high-souled Nakula of great activity, afflicted with
those shafts, proceeded to the car, O king, of Bhimasena. The
steedless son of Madri, thus afflicted by Karna’s son, sprang upon
Bhima’s car like a lion springing upon a mountain summit, in the
sight of Dhananjaya. The high-souled and heroic Vrishasena then,
filled with wrath, poured his arrowy showers upon those two
mighty car-warriors for piercing those two sons of Pandu. After
the destruction of that car belonging to the son of Pandu (Nakula),
and after his sword also had been speedily cut off with
(Vrishasena’s) shafts; many other foremost of Kuru heroes,
uniting together, approached the Pandava brothers, and began to
strike them with showers of shafts. Then those two sons of Pandu,
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Bhima and Arjuna, filled with wrath, and resembling two fires fed
with libations of clarified butter, poured terrible showers of
arrows upon Vrishasena and the other assembled warriors around
him. The son of the Wind-god then, addressing Phalguna, said,
“Behold, Nakula here is being afflicted. The son of Karna is
resisting us. Proceed, therefore, against Karna’s son.” Hearing
these words, the diadem-decked (Arjuna) approached the car of
his brother Vrikodara. Beholding that hero arrived near, Nakula
addressed him, saying, “Do thou speedily slay this one.” Thus
addressed in that battle by his brother, Nakula, standing before
him, the diadem-decked Arjuna, that formidable hero,
precipitately caused his ape-bannered vehicle, guided by Keshava
himself, to be driven towards Vrishasena.’”
514
85
“Sanjaya said, ‘Learning that Nakula had been deprived of his car,
afflicted with arrows and mangled with the weapons of Karna’s
son, and that he had his shafts, bow, and sword cut off, these
eleven formidable resisters of all foes, the five heroic sons of
Drupada, the grandson of Sini forming the sixth, and the five sons
of Draupadi quickly proceeded on their loud-sounding cars drawn
by bounding steeds, with banners waving in the air, and guided by
accomplished drivers. Those well-armed warriors began to
destroy thy elephants and cars and men and steeds with shafts that
resembled formidable snakes. Then Hridika’s son and Kripa and
Drona’s son and Duryodhana and Shakuni’s son and Vrika and
Kratha and Devavridha, those foremost of Kaurava car-warriors,
speedily proceeded against them, armed with their bows and
mounted upon their cars of rattle deep as the roar of elephants or
the clouds. These Kaurava warriors, assailing those foremost of
men and first of car-warriors, those eleven heroes (of the Pandava
army), O king, with the mightiest of shafts, checked their
progress. At this, the Kulindas, riding upon their elephants of
impetuous speed that looked like mountain summits and that were
of the hue of newly-risen clouds, advanced against those Kaurava
heroes. Well-equipped, and covered with gold, those infuriated
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elephants, born in Himalayan regions and ridden by accomplished

warriors longing for battle, looked resplendent like clouds in the
welkin, charged with lightning. The prince of the Kulindas then
vigorously assailed Kripa and his driver and steeds, with ten shafts
made wholly of iron. Struck (in return) with the shafts of
Sharadvata’s son, the prince fell down with his elephant on the
ground. The younger brother of that prince then, assailing Kripa’s
car with a number of lances made wholly of iron and all bright as
the rays of the sun, uttered loud roars. The ruler of the
Gandharvas, however, cut off the head of that warrior while still
uttering those roars. Upon the fall of those Kulindas, those mighty
car-warriors of thy army, filled with joy, blew their sea-born
conchs, and, armed with bows, rushed against their enemies. The
battle then that once more took place between the Kurus on the
one side and the Pandavas and the Srinjayas on the other, with
arrows and scimitars and darts and swords and maces and battle-
axes, became fierce and awful and exceedingly destructive of men
and steeds and elephants. Car-warriors and steeds and elephants
and foot-soldiers, striking one another, fell down on the ground,
making the field of battle look like the welkin when congregated
masses of clouds charged with lightning and producing incessant
peals of thunder are assailed by fierce winds from all sides. Then
the chief of the Bhojas struck the huge elephants, the car-warriors,
the innumerable foot-soldiers, and the horse under Satanika.
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Struck with Kritavarma’s shafts, these soon fell down on the

ground. About this time, struck with Ashvatthama’s shafts, three
huge elephants equipped with all kinds of weapons, ridden by
accomplished warriors, and adorned with lofty standards, fell
down lifeless on the ground like gigantic cliffs riven by thunder.
Then the third brother of the Kulinda chief assailed thy son
Duryodhana with some excellent shafts in the centre of the chest.
Thy son, however, pierced him as also his elephant with many
whetted shafts. That prince of elephants then, with the prince on
his back, fell down, with streams of blood issuing from every part
of his body, like a mountain of red chalk in the season of rains,
with red streams running down its breast, tumbling down when
riven by the thunder of Sachi’s lord. The Kulinda prince,
however, having saved himself in time, rode another elephant.
Urged by the prince, that animal assailed Kratha with his driver
and steeds and car. Pierced, however, with Kratha’s shafts, that
elephant, with its rider, fell down like a thunder-riven hill. The
ruler of the Krathas, that invincible car-warrior, however, struck
with shafts by the prince born on the mountains from the back of
another elephant, fell down with his steeds, driver, bow, and
standard, like a mighty tree uprooted by the tempest. Then Vrika
deeply pierced with a dozen shafts that prince having his abode on
the Himavat as he stood on his elephant. The huge beast quickly
crushed with his four legs (the Kaurava warrior) Vrika with his
517
steeds and car. That prince of elephants then, with its rider, deeply
pierced by the son of Vabhru, advanced impetuously against the
latter. Vabhru’s son, however, that prince of the Magadhas,
afflicted with arrows by Sahadeva’s son, fell down. The prince of
the Kulindas then, with that elephant of his which was capable of
slaying the foremost of warriors with its tusks and body, rushed
impetuously towards Shakuni for slaying him. The mountaineer
succeeded in afflicting Shakuni greatly. Soon, however, the chief
of the Gandharas cut off his head. About this time huge elephants
and steeds and car-warriors and large bands of foot, struck by
Satanika, fell down on the earth, paralysed and crushed like
snakes beaten by the tempest caused by Garuda’s wings. Then a
Kulinda warrior (on the Kaurava side), smiling the while, pierced
Satanika, the son of Nakula, with many whetted arrows. Nakula’s
son, however, with a razor-headed arrow, cut off from his
antagonist’s trunk his head resembling a lotus. Then Karna’s son
pierced Satanika with three arrows, made wholly of iron and
Arjuna also with as many. And he pierced Bhima with three
arrows and Nakula with seven and Janardana with a dozen.
Beholding that feat of Vrishasena, that achiever of superhuman
feats, the Kauravas became filled with joy and applauded him
greatly. They, however, that were conversant with Dhananjaya’s
prowess, regarded Vrishasena as a libation already poured on the
fire. The diadem-decked Arjuna then, that slayer of hostile heroes,
518
seeing Madri’s son Nakula, that foremost of men, deprived of his

steeds in the midst of all, and beholding Janardana mangled with
arrows, rushed in that battle against Vrishasena who was then
staying in front of the Suta’s son (Karna). Like Namuci rushing
against Indra, Karna’s son, that great car-warrior, also rushed, in
that battle, against that fierce and foremost of men, Arjuna, that
warrior possessing thousands of arrows, as the latter advanced
towards him. Unsupported by any one, the high-souled son of
Karna, quickly piercing Partha with a shaft in that battle, uttered a
loud shout, like Namuci in days of old after having pierced Indra.
Once more Vrishasena pierced Partha in the left arm-pit with
many formidable shafts. Piercing Krishna next with nine arrows,
he struck Partha again with ten shafts. The white-steeded Arjuna,
having before been pierced by Vrishasena with those formidable
arrows, became slightly enraged and set his heart on the slaughter
of Karna’s son. The high-souled and diadem-decked Arjuna then,
his brow furrowed from wrath with three lines, quickly sped from
the van of battle a number of shafts for the destruction of
Vrishasena in that encounter. With eyes red in wrath, that hero
capable of slaying Yama himself if the latter fought with him,
then laughed terribly and said unto Karna and all the other
Kaurava heroes headed by Duryodhana and Drona’s son, these
words, “Today, O Karna, in thy very sight in this battle, I will
despatch the fierce Vrishasena unto Yama’s abode with my keen
519
arrows! People say that all of you, united together, slew my son,
endued with great activity, in my absence, and while he was alone
and unsupported on his car. I, however, will slay thy son in the
very sight of you all. Let all the Kaurava car-warriors protect him.
I will slay the fierce Vrishasena. After that, I will slay thee, O
fool, even I, Arjuna, in the midst of battle! Today I will, in battle,
slay thee that art the root of this quarrel and that hast become so
proud in consequence of Duryodhana’s patronage. Putting forth
my strength, I will certainly slay thee in this battle, and
Bhimasena will slay this Duryodhana, this wretch among men,
through whose evil policy this quarrel born of dice hath arisen.”
Having said these words, Arjuna rubbed the string of his bow and
took aim at Vrishasena in that battle, and sped, O king, a number
of shafts for the slaughter of Karna’s son. The diadem-decked
Arjuna then, fearlessly and with great force, pierced Vrishasena
with ten shafts in all his vital limbs. With four fierce razor-headed
arrows he cut off Vrishasena’s bow and two arms and head.
Struck with Partha’s shafts, the son of Karna, deprived of arms
and head, fell down on the earth from his car, like a gigantic shala
adorned with flowers falling down from a mountain summit.
Beholding his son, thus struck with arrows, fall down from his
vehicle, the Suta’s son Karna, endued with great activity and
scorched with grief on account of the death of his son, quickly
520
proceeded on his car, inspired with wrath, against the car of the
diadem-decked Partha.
“Indeed, beholding his son slain in his sight by the white-steeded

Arjuna in battle, the high-souled Karna, filled with great wrath,
rushed against Krishna and Arjuna.’”
521
86
“Sanjaya said, ‘Beholding the gigantic and roaring Karna,

incapable of being resisted by the very gods, advancing like the
surging sea, that bull amongst men, viz., he of Dasharha’s race,
addressed Arjuna, saying, “That car-warrior having white steeds
and owning Shalya for his driver cometh hither with whom thou
art to contend in battle. Therefore, O Dhananjaya, summon all thy
coolness. Behold then, O son of Pandu, the well-equipped car of
Karna. White steeds are yoked unto it and Radha’s son himself is
the warrior that stands upon it. Teeming with banners and decked
with rows of bells, it looks like a celestial car borne along the
welkin by steeds white in hue. Behold also the standard of the
high-souled Karna, bearing the device of the elephant’s rope, and
looking like the bow of Indra himself that divides the firmament
by a clear line. Behold Karna as he advanceth from desire of
doing what is agreeable to Dhritarashtra’s son, shooting showers
of shafts like the clouds pouring torrents of rain. There the royal
chief of the Madras, stationed on the fore-part of the car, guideth
the steeds of Radha’s son of immeasurable energy. Hear the peal
of their drums and the fierce blare of their conchs. Hear, O son of
Pandu, the diverse leonine roars coming from every side. Hear the
terrible twang, silencing all other loud sounds, of the bow (Vijaya)
522
stretched by Karna of immeasurable energy. There the mighty car-

warriors among the Pancalas, with their followers, are breaking
like a herd of deer in the great forest at the sight of an angry lion.
It behoveth thee, O son of Kunti, to slay the Suta’s son with every
care. No other person save thee can venture to bear the shafts of
Karna. It is well known to me that thou art competent to vanquish
in battle the three worlds with all their mobile and immobile
creatures including the very gods and the Gandharvas. What need
be said about battling with that puissant one, when people are
incapable of even gazing at him, viz., the fierce and terrible Isana,
that great god, the three-eyed Sarva, otherwise called Kapardin?
Thou, however, hadst, by battle, gratified that god of gods
himself, that Siva who is the source of bliss unto all creatures, that
deity called Sthanu. The other deities also have all given thee
boons. Through the grace, O Partha, of that god of gods, that deity
armed with a trident, slay Karna, O mighty-armed one, like Indra
slaying the Asura Namuci. Let prosperity be ever with thee, O
Partha, and do thou obtain victory in battle.”
“’Arjuna said, “My victory, O Krishna, is, certain. There is no

doubt in this, since thou, O slayer of Madhu, that art the master of
all the worlds, art pleased with me. Urge the steeds, O
Hrishikesha, and my car, O great car-warrior! Today Phalguna
will not return from battle without slaying Karna. Behold Karna
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slain today and cut in pieces with my shafts. Or, O Govinda, thou
wilt today behold me slain with (Karna’s) arrows.
That terrible battle, capable of stupefying the three words, is at

hand. As long as the earth will last, people will speak of it.”
Saying these words unto Krishna who is never tired with exertion,
Partha quickly proceeded on his car against Karna like an elephant
against a rival elephant. Once more Partha of great energy said
unto Krishna, that chastiser of foes, these words, “Urge the steeds,
O Hrishikesha, for time passeth.” Thus addressed by the high-
souled son of Pandu, Keshava wished him victory and urged
steeds as fleet as thought. Then that car of Pandu’s son, possessed
of great speed, soon reached the front of Karna’s car.’”
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87
“Sanjaya said, ‘Beholding Vrishasena slain, Karna, filled with

grief and rage, shed tears from his eyes for the death of his son.
Endued with great energy, with eyes red as copper from rage,
Karna proceeded in the face of his foe, having summoned
Dhananjaya to battle. Then those two cars, both possessed of solar
effulgence and covered with tiger-skins, when they came together,
looked like two suns close to each other. Both having white steeds
and both crushers of foes, those two great bowmen, those two
warriors possessed of solar effulgence, looked resplendent like the
sun and the moon in the firmament. Beholding those two warriors
that resembled Indra and Virochana’s son (Vali) carefully
preparing for battle for the conquest of the three worlds, all
creatures were filled with wonder. Seeing those two warriors
rushing towards each other with the clatter of car-wheels the
twang of bows, the sound of palms, the whizz of arrows, and
leonine shouts, and seeing also their standards, viz., that of Karna
bearing the elephant’s rope and that of Partha bearing the ape,
approach each other, all the lords of the earth became filled with
wonder. Seeing those two car-warriors engaged with each other, O
Bharata, all the kings uttered leonine shouts and cheered them
repeatedly with applause. Beholding that single combat between
525
Partha and Karna, thousands of combatants there slapped their

armpits and waved their garments on the air. The Kauravas beat
their musical instruments and blew their numerous conchs for
gladdening Karna. Similarly, all the Pandavas, for gladdening
Dhananjaya, caused every point of the compass to resound with
the blasts of their trumpets and conchs. With those leonine shouts
and slaps on armpits and other loud cries and roars of brave
warriors, tremendous became the noise there on the occasion of
that encounter between Karna and Arjuna. People beheld those
two tigers among men, those two foremost of car-warriors,
stationed on their cars, each armed with his formidable bow, each
equipped with arrows and darts, and each owning a lofty standard.
Both were clad in mail, both had scimitars tied to their belts, both
had white steeds, and both were adorned with excellent conchs.
One had Krishna for driver on his car, and the other had Shalya.
Both of them were great car-warriors and both looked alike. Both
possessed of leonine necks and long arms, the eyes of both were
red, and both were adorned with garlands of gold. Both were
armed with bows that seemed to flash like lightning, and both
were adorned with wealth of weapons. Both had yak-tails for
being fanned therewith, and both were decked with white
umbrellas held over them. Both had excellent quivers and both
looked exceedingly handsome. The limbs of both were smeared
with red sandal-paste and both looked like infuriated bulls. Both
526
were broad-necked like the lion, both were broad-chested, and

both endued with great strength. Challenging each other, O king,
each desired to slay the other. And they rushed against each other
like two mighty bulls in a cow-pen. They were like a couple of
infuriated elephants or of angry mountains or of infant snakes of
virulent poison or of all-destroying Yamas. Enraged with each
other like Indra and Vritra, they looked like the sun and the moon
in splendour. Filled with wrath, they resembled two mighty
planets risen for the destruction of the world at the end of the
Yuga. Both of them born of celestial fathers, and both resembling
gods in beauty, they were of godlike energy. Indeed, they looked
like the sun and the moon come of their own accord on the field of
battle. Both of them endued with great might, both filled with
pride in battle, they were armed with diverse weapons. Beholding
those two tigers among men, those two heroes endued with the
impetuosity of tigers, thy troops, O monarch, were filled with
great joy. Seeing those two tigers amongst men, viz., Karna and
Dhananjaya, engaged in battle, a doubt entered the hearts of all as
to which of them would be victorious. Both armed with superior
weapons, and both well-practised in battle, both made the welkin
resound with the slaps on their armpits. Both possessed of great
celebrity in consequence of prowess and might, they resembled
the Asura Samvara and the chief of the celestials in respect of
their skill in battle. Both equal to Kartavirya or Dasaratha’s son in
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battle, both resembled Vishnu himself in energy or Bhava himself

in fight. Both had white steeds, O king, and both were borne on
foremost of cars. Both of them, again, had foremost of drivers in
that great battle. Beholding, O monarch, those two great car-
warriors looking resplendent on their cars, the bands of Siddhas
and Charanas that came there became filled with wonder. The
Dhartarashtras then, O bull of Bharata’s race, with their troops,
encompassed the high-souled Karna, that ornament of battle,
without losing any time. Similarly the Pandavas headed by
Dhrishtadyumna, filled with joy, encompassed that high-souled
Partha who was unrivalled in battle. Karna became the stake, O
monarch, of thy army in that battle, while Partha became the stake
of the Pandavas. The soldiers of both sides were as members of
that assembly and became the spectators of that game. Indeed, as
regards the parties engaged in that game of battle, either victory or
defeat was certain. Those two then, Karna and Arjuna, for victory
or the reverse, began the match between ourselves and the
Pandavas both standing on the field of battle. Skilled in fight, the
two heroes, O monarch, in that encounter, became highly enraged
with each other and wished to slay each other. Desiring to take
each other’s life, like Indra and Vritra, O lord, they faced each
other like two mighty comets of terrible form. Then in the sky,
differences and disputes, accompanied with revilings, arose
among the creatures there, O bull of Bharata’s race, on the subject
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of Karna and Arjuna. All the inhabitants of the world, O sire, were
heard to differ amongst themselves. The gods, the Danavas, the
Gandharvas, the Pishacas, the Snakes, the Rakshasas, adopted
opposite sides in that encounter between Karna and Arjuna. The
welkin, O monarch, with all the stars, became anxious on Karna’s
account, while the wide earth became so on Partha’s account, like
the mother for her son. The rivers, the seas, the mountains, O best
of men, the trees, the deciduous plants and herbs, took the side of
the diadem-decked Arjuna. The Asuras, Yatudhanas, the
Guhyakas, O scorcher of foes, and ravens and other rangers of the
sky, sided with Karna. All the gems and precious jewels, the four
Vedas with the histories as the fifth, the Upavedas, the
Upanishads, with all their mysteries, and the compilations, and
Vasuki, and Citrasena, and Takshaka, and Upatakshaka, and all
the mountains, and all the offspring of Kadru with their children,
all the great snakes endued with poison, and the Nagas, took the
side of Arjuna. Airavata and his children, the offspring of
Surabhi, the offspring of Vaisali, and the Bhogins sided with
Arjuna. The smaller snakes all sided with Karna. Wolves and wild
stags and all kinds of auspicious animals and birds were, O king,
for victory to Partha. The Vasus, the Maruts, the Sadhyas, the
Rudras, the Vishvedevas and the Ashvinis, and Agni and Indra
and Soma and Pavana, and the ten points of the compass, became
the partisans of Dhananjaya, while all the Adityas sided with
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Karna. The vaishyas, the shudras, the Sutas, and those castes that
were of a mixed origin, all, O king, adopted the side of Radha’s
son. The celestials, however, with the pitris, and with all that were
numbered with them as also with their followers, and Yama and
Vaishravana and Varuna were on the side of Arjuna. The
brahmanas, the kshatriyas, the sacrifices, and those gifts called
dakshinas, were for Arjuna. The pretas, and pishacas, many
carnivorous animals and birds, the rakshasas with all the monsters
of the sea, the dogs, and the jackals were for Karna. The diverse
tribes of celestial and regenerate and royal rishis were for the son
of Pandu. The gandharvas headed by Tumvuru, O king, were on
the side of Arjuna. With the offspring of Pradha and Mauni, the
several classes of gandharvas and apsaras, and many wise sages,
having for their vehicles wolves and stags and elephants and
steeds and cars and foot, and clouds and the wind, came there for
witnessing the encounter between Karna and Arjuna. The gods,
the danavas, the gandharvas, the nagas, the yakshas, the birds, the
great rishis versed in the Vedas, the pitris that subsist upon the
gifts called svadha, and asceticism and the sciences, and the
(celestial) herbs with diverse virtues, came, O monarch, and took
up their stations in the welkin, making a great noise. Brahman,
with the regenerate rishis and the Lords of creatures, and Bhava
himself on his car, came to that part of the welkin. Beholding
those two high-souled ones, Karna and Dhananjaya, about to
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encounter each other, Shakra himself said, “Let Arjuna vanquish

Karna.” Surya, however, said, “Let Karna vanquish Arjuna.
Indeed, let my son Karna, slaying Arjuna, gain the victory in this
battle. Let my son, slaying Karna, win victory.” Even thus did
Surya and Vasava, those two foremost of personages, who were
there and had adopted opposite sides, dispute with each other.
Beholding those two high-souled ones, Karna and Dhananjaya,
about to engage themselves in battle, the gods and the asuras
adopted opposite sides. The three worlds with the celestial rishis
and all the gods and all other creatures, trembled at the sight. The
gods were on the side of Partha, while the asuras were on that of
Karna. Thus all creatures were interested in that encounter, siding
with this or that leader of car-warriors, the Kuru or the Pandava
hero. Beholding the Self-born Lord of Creation (viz., Brahman),
the gods urged him, saying, “Let, O god, the success of these two
lions among men be equal. Let not the vast universe be destroyed
in consequence of this encounter between Karna and Arjuna. O
Selfborn one, say but the word, let the success of these two be
equal.” Hearing these words, Maghavat, bowing down unto the
Grandsire, represented this unto that god of gods, that foremost
one of all intelligent beings, saying, “Formerly it was said by thy
holy self that the two Krishnas are always sure to win victory. Let
it be (now) as thou then saidest. Be gratified with me, O holy
one!” At this, Brahman and Isana replied unto the chief of the
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celestials, saying, ‘The victory of the high-souled Vijaya is

certain, of that Savyasaci who gratified the eater of sacrificial
libations in the forest of Khandava and who, coming to heaven,
rendered assistance to thee, O Sakra! Karna is on the side of the
Danavas. It is proper, therefore, that he should meet with defeat.
By this, without doubt, the purposes of the gods will be achieved.
One’s own business, O chief of the celestials, should always be
important. The high-souled Phalguna, again, is devoted to truth
and to morality. He must always be victorious, without doubt. He
by whom the high-souled and holy god having the bull on his
standard was gratified, why should not he, O thou of a hundred
eyes, be victorious,--he, that is, who hath for the driver of his car
that Lord of the universe, Vishnu himself? Possessed of great
energy of mind and great strength, Partha is a hero, accomplished
in arms and endued with ascetic merit. Possessed also of great
energy of body, he beareth the entire science of weapons. Indeed,
Partha hath every accomplishment. He ought to be victorious,
since that would accomplish the purposes of the gods. In
consequence of his greatness, Partha transgresses destiny itself,
whether favourable or unfavourable, and when he does so, a great
destruction of creatures takes place. When the two Krishnas are
excited with wrath, they show regard for nothing. These two bulls
among beings are the Creators of all real and unreal things. These
two are Nara and Narayana, the two ancient and best of Rishis.
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There is none to rule over them. They are rulers over all, perfectly
fearless, they are scorchers of all foes. In heaven or among human
beings, there is none equal to either of them. The three worlds
with the celestial Rishis and the Charanas are behind these two.
All the gods and all creatures walk behind them. The entire
universe exists in consequence of the power of these two. Let
Karna, that bull among men, obtain these foremost of regions of
bliss here. Let him obtain identity with the Vasus or the Maruts.
Let him, with Drona and Bhishma, be worshipped in heaven, for
Vikartana’s son is brave and is a hero. Let the victory, however,
belong to the two Krishnas.” After those two foremost ones
among the gods (Brahman and Isana), said so, the deity of a 1,000
eyes, worshipping those words of Brahman and Isana and saluting
all creatures himself said, “Ye have heard what has been said by
the two gods for the benefit of the universe. It will be even so and
not otherwise. Stay ye then, with cheerful hearts.” Hearing these
words of Indra, all creatures, O sire, became filled with wonder
and applauded, O king, that deity. The celestials then showered
diverse kinds of fragrant flowers and blew their trumpets. Indeed,
the gods, the Danavas and the Gandharvas all waited there for
witnessing that matchless single combat between those two lions
among men. The two cars, O king, upon which Karna and Arjuna
were stationed, had white steeds yoked unto them both. And both
had excellent standards, and both produced a loud rattle. Many
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foremost of heroes, approaching the brave Vasudeva and Arjuna

as also Shalya and Karna, began each to blow his conch. The
battle then commenced (between the two warriors), overwhelming
all timid persons with fear. Fiercely they challenged each other
like Sakra and Samvara. The standards of the two heroes,
perfectly bright, looked exceedingly beautiful on their cars, like
the planets Rahu and Ketu risen in the firmament at the time of the
universal dissolution. The elephant’s rope on Karna’s banner,
looking like a snake of virulent poison and made of jewels and
gems and exceedingly strong and resembling the bow of Indra,
looked resplendent (as it waved in the air). That foremost of apes,
again, belonging to Partha, with jaws wide open and terrible, and
difficult of being gazed at, like the sun himself, inspired fear by
his formidable teeth. The impetuous Ape on the standard of the
wielder of Gandiva, becoming desirous of battle, rushed from his
station and fell upon Karna’s standard. Endued with great
impetuosity, the Ape, darting forward, struck the elephant’s rope
with his nails and teeth, like Garuda falling upon a snake. Decked
with rows of little bells, hard as iron, and resembling the fatal
noose (in the hands of Yama or Varuna), the elephant’s rope,
filled with wrath, closed with the Ape. Thus in that fierce single
combat between those two heroes, which was the result of what
had been settled at the time of the match at dice, their standards
first battled with each other. Meanwhile the steeds of the one
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neighed at the steeds of the other. The lotus-eyed Keshava pierced

Shalya with his keen glances. The latter also cast similar glances
at the former. Vasudeva, however, vanquished Shalya with those
glances of his, while Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, vanquished
Karna with his glances. Then the Suta’s son, smilingly addressing
Shalya, said, “If Partha by any means slays me in battle today, tell
me truly, O friend, what thou wilt do after that.” Shalya answered,
saying, “If thou art slain, I myself will slay both Krishna and
Dhananjaya.” Once more the ruler of the Madras said, “If, O
Karna, the white steeded Arjuna slays thee in battle today, I
myself, on a single car, will slay both Madhava and Phalguna.’”
“Sanjaya continued, ‘Arjuna also asked Govinda a similar

question. Krishna, however, smiling, said unto Partha these words
of grave import, “The Sun himself may fall down from his place,
the Earth herself may split into a 1,000 fragments; fire itself may
become cold. Still Karna will not be able to slay thee, O
Dhananjaya! If, however, any such occurrence takes place, know
then that the destruction of the universe will be at hand. As
regards myself, I will, using my bare arms, slay both Karna and
Shalya in battle.” Hearing these words of Krishna, the ape-
bannered Arjuna, smiling, replied unto Krishna who was never
fatigued with exertion, saying, “Shalya and Karna, united
together, are not a match for myself alone, O Janardana! Thou
shalt today, O Krishna, behold Karna with his standard and
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banners with Shalya and his car and steeds, with his umbrella and
armour and darts and shafts and bow, cut in pieces with my shafts
in battle. Thou shalt today behold him with his car and steeds and
darts and armour and weapons, reduced to dust like a tree in the
forest crushed by a tusker. Today the widowhood of the wives of
Radha’s son is at hand. Verily, they must have in their (last
night’s) dreams seen signs of approaching evil, O Mahadeva!
Verily, thou shalt today see the wives of Karna become widows. I
cannot restrain my wrath at what was done before now by this
fool of little foresight when he beheld Krishna dragged to the
assembly and when laughing at us he abused us repeatedly in vile
words. Today, O Govinda, thou shalt behold Karna crushed by me
like a tree with its load of flowers crushed by an infuriated
elephant. Today, O slayer of Madhu, thou shalt, after Karna’s fall,
hear those sweet words, ‘By good luck, O thou of Vrishni’s race,
victory hath been thine!’ Thou shalt today comfort the mother of
Abhimanyu with a lighter heart for having paid thy debt to the foe.
Today thou shalt, filled with joy, comfort thy paternal aunt Kunti.
Today thou shalt, O Madhava, comfort Krishna of tearful face and
king Yudhishthira the just with words sweet as nectar.”
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“Sanjaya said, ‘Meanwhile the welkin, filled with gods and Nagas
and Asuras and Siddhas and Yakshas and with large bands of
Gandharvas and Rakshasas, and Asuras and regenerate Rishis and
royal sages and birds of excellent feathers, assumed a wonderful
aspect. All human beings assembled there beheld those beings of
wonderful aspect staying in the sky, and the sky itself resounded
with the voice of musical instruments and song and adulatory
hymns and laughter and dance, and diverse other kinds of
charming sounds. Then both the Kaurava and the Pandava
warriors, filled with joy, and causing the earth and the ten points
of the compass to resound with the voice of musical instruments,
the blare of conchs, and leonine roars and the din of battle, began
to slaughter their foes. Teeming with men and steeds and
elephants and cars and weapons, unbearable to combatants in
consequence of the falling of maces and swords and darts and
rapiers, abounding in heroes, and crowded with lifeless bodies, the
field of battle, crimsoned with gore, looked exceedingly
resplendent. Indeed, the battle between the Kurus and the
Pandavas then resembled that in days of yore between the gods
and the Asuras. After that fierce and awful battle had commenced
between Dhananjaya and Adhiratha’s son, each of those two
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heroes, clad in excellent mail, shrouded the ten points of the

compass and the host opposed to him with keen and straight
arrows. A darkness having been caused there with the arrows shot
on that occasion, neither thy warriors nor the enemy could any
longer see anything. From fear all the warriors there sought the
protection of either Karna or Arjuna like rays of light spread out
in the welkin converging towards either the sun or the moon. The
two heroes then, each baffling the other’s weapons with his own,
like the east and the west winds encountering each other, looked
exceedingly resplendent like the sun and the moon risen after
dispelling the darkness caused by the clouds and covering the
welkin. Each having encouraged his troops, saying, “Do not fly
away!” the enemy and thy warriors stood their ground, encircling
those two mighty car-warriors like the gods and the asuras
standing around Vasava and Samvara. The two armies then
greeted those two best of men with the sounds of drums and other
instruments and with leonine roars, at which those two bulls
among men looked beautiful like the sun and the moon greeted by
roaring clouds gathered around. Each armed with a formidable
bow drawn to a complete circle and looking like a (solar or lunar)
corona, those two heroes of great splendour, shooting, in that
battle thousands of arrows that constituted their rays, resembled
two unbearable suns risen at the end of the yuga for burning the
entire universe with its mobile and immobile creatures. Both
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invincible, both capable of exterminating foes, each desirous of

slaying the other; and each displaying his skill upon the other,
those two warriors, Karna and the son of Pandu, closed fearlessly
with each other in that dreadful battle, like Indra and the asura
Jambha. Invoking the mightiest of weapons then, those two
formidable bowmen began, with their terrible shafts, to slay
innumerable men and steeds and elephants as also to strike each
other, O king! Afflicted once more by those two foremost of men,
the troops of both the Kurus and the Pandavas, consisting of
elephants and foot-soldiers and horsemen and car-warriors, fled
away on all sides like other animals in the forest when assailed by
the lion. Then Duryodhana, and the chief of the Bhojas, and
Subala’s son, and Kripa, and the son of Sharadvata’s daughter,
these five great car-warriors, assailed Dhananjaya and Keshava
with shafts capable of producing great pain. Dhananjaya,
however, with his shafts, cut off at the same time the bows, the
quivers, the steeds, the elephants, and the cars with their drivers,
of those warriors, and mangling every one of them with excellent
shafts, pierced the Suta’s son with a dozen arrows. Then a
hundred cars, a hundred elephants, and a number of Saka and
Tukhara and Yavana horsemen, accompanied by some of the
foremost combatants among the Kambojas, quickly rushed against
Arjuna from desire of slaying him. Speedily cutting off with the
shafts and razor-headed arrows in his hands the excellent weapons
539
of his foes, as also their heads, and steeds, and elephants, and cars,
Dhananjaya felled his contending enemies on the field. Then in
the welkin blasts of celestial trumpets were blown by the excellent
gods. These were mingled with the praises of Arjuna. Blown by
gentle breezes, excellent floral showers, fragrant and auspicious,
fell (upon Arjuna’s head). Beholding that incident, which was
witnessed by gods and men, all creatures, O king, were filled with
wonder.’ Only thy son and the Suta’s son who were both of the
same opinion, felt neither pain nor wonder. Then Drona’s son,
catching hold of Duryodhana’s hand, and adopting a soothing
tone, addressed thy son, saying, “Be gratified, O Duryodhana!
Make peace with the Pandavas. There is no need for quarrel. Fie
on war! The preceptor, conversant with the mightiest of weapons
and like unto Brahma itself, hath been slain. Other bulls among
men, headed by Bhishma, have also been slain. As regards myself,
I am unslayable, as also my maternal uncle. Rule the kingdom for
ever, (sharing it) with the sons of Pandu. Dissuaded by me,
Dhananjaya will abstain. Janardana also doth not desire hostilities.
Yudhishthira is always engaged in the good of all creatures.
Vrikodara is obedient to him. So also are the twins. Peace being

made between thee and the Parthas, all creatures will be benefited,
through, as it would seem, thy desire. Let the kings that are still
alive go back to their homes. Let the troops abstain from
hostilities. If thou dost not listen to my words, O king, struck by
540
foes in battle, thou wilt have to burn with grief. Thou hast beheld,
as well as the universe, what has been achieved by the single-
handed Arjuna decked with diadem and garlands. The slayer of
Vala himself could not achieve its like, nor the Destroyer, nor
Prachetas, nor the illustrious king of the Yakshas. Dhananjaya, as
regards his merits, is even much greater than that. He will never
transgress whatever I say unto him. He will always follow thee.
Be thou gratified, O king, for the benefit of the universe. Thou
always honourest me greatly. I, too, bear a great friendship for
thee. It is for this that I say so unto thee. I shall dissuade Karna
also, provided thou art inclined to peace. Discerning persons say
that there are four kinds of friends, viz., those that are naturally so,
those that are made so by conciliation, those that become so
through wealth, and lastly those brought under subjection by the
exercise of power. All these elements are owned by thee with
regard to the sons of Pandu. The Pandavas, O hero, are naturally
thy friends. Obtain them again as friends for certain by
conciliation. If upon thyself being gratified, they agree to
become friends, do thou, O king of kings, act in that way.” These
beneficial words having been said unto him by his friends,
Duryodhana reflected for some time. Drawing deep breaths, he
then, with a cheerless heart, said, “It is as thou, O friend, hast said.
Listen, however, to the words that I would say unto thee. The
wicked-hearted Vrikodara, having slain Duhshasana like a tiger,
541
spoke words that still dwell in my heart. Thou also heardest the
same. How then can there be peace? Arjuna again will not be able
to bear Karna in battle, like a tempest whose force is weakened
when encountering the mighty mountains of Meru. Nor will the
sons of Pritha have the least confidence in me, thinking of the
many acts of forceful hostility (done by me towards them). Nor, O
preceptor’s son of unfading glory, doth it behove thee to say unto
Karna now ‘Abstain from battle!’ Phalguna is exceedingly tired
today. Karna will soon slay him”. Having with humility said these
words repeatedly unto the preceptor’s son, thy son commanded
his own troops, saying, “Armed with arrows, rush against and slay
these foes. Why stand ye inactive?”
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89
Sanjaya said, “Then when the blare of conchs and the peal of
drums became very loud, those two foremost of men, both owning
white steeds, the suta’s son Vikartana and Arjuna, encountered
each other in consequence, O king, of thy son’s evil policy. Those
two heroes endued with great impetuosity, Dhananjaya and
Adhiratha’s son, closed with each other like two infuriated
Himalayan elephants, both of full-grown tusks, fighting with each
other for the sake of a she-elephant in her season. Like a mass of
clouds encountering another mass, or a mountain encountering a
mountain, those two warriors, both pouring showers of arrows,
encountered each other, their bows loudly twanging the while, and
the wheels of their cars producing a deafening clatter, and their
bow-strings and palms emitting loud sounds. Like two mountains,
both endued with tall cliffs and abounding in trees and creepers
and herbs and both teeming with the diverse other denizens that
are natural to them, moving towards each other for an encounter,
those two mighty warriors encountered each other, each striking
the other with mighty weapons.
The combat between the two heroes became furious like that
between the chief of the celestials and Virocana’s son in days of
yore. Incapable of being endured by others and marked by a river
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whose distasteful water consisted of blood, the limbs of those two

heroes, as also their drivers and animals, became exceedingly
mangled. Like two large lakes, both teeming with lotuses of
diverse kinds and fish and tortoises, and echoing with the voices
of diverse kinds of fowl, and softly stirred by the wind,
approaching each other, those two cars graced with standards
approached each other. Both endued with prowess equal to that of
the great Indra, both resembling the great Indra himself, those two
mighty car-warriors struck each other with shafts that resembled
the great Indra’s thunder, like the great Indra himself and (the
asura) Vritra.
Both the armies consisting of cars and elephants and steeds and
foot-soldiers, all equipped with beautiful armour and ornaments
and robes and weapons, and those also that were in the welkin,
were inspired with fear upon beholding that encounter of
wonderful aspect between Arjuna and Karna. Others among the
spectators, filled with joy and uttering leonine shouts, raised their
arms, waving their fingers or the pieces of cloth they held, when
Arjuna rushed against the son of Adhiratha, from desire of
slaughter, like one infuriated elephant rushing against another.
The Somakas then loudly shouted to Partha, saying, “Be quick, O

Arjuna, go and pierce Karna. Cut off his head without delay, and
(with it) the desire of Dhritarashtra’s son for kingdom.” Similarly
544
many warriors of ours that were there, said unto Karna, “Proceed,
proceed, O Karna, and slay Arjuna with keen shafts. Let the sons
of Pritha once more go to the woods forever.”
Then Karna first pierced Partha in that encounter, with ten mighty
shafts. Arjuna pierced him in return with ten keen-pointed shafts,
shot with great vigour, in the centre of the chest. Indeed, the suta’s
son and Arjuna then mangled each other with many shafts
equipped with goodly wings. Desirous of obtaining advantage of
each other’s lapses in that dreadful encounter, with cheerful hearts
they rushed against each other fiercely.
Rubbing his two arms and the string also of gandiva, that fierce
bowman, Arjuna, then sped showers of cloth-yard shafts, and
nalikas and arrows equipped with heads like boar’s ears and
razors, and anjalikas, and crescent-shaped arrows. Those arrows
of Partha, O king, spread over the welkin, penetrated into Karna’s
car like flights of birds, with heads bent down, penetrating in the
evening into a tree for roosting there in the night. All those
arrows, however, O king, that Arjuna, that victor over all foes,
with furrowed brow and angry glances, sped at Karna, all those
successive showers of shafts shot by the son of Pandu, were cut
off by the suta’s son with his own arrows.
The son of Indra then sped at Karna a fiery weapon capable of

slaying all foes. Covering the earth and the welkin and the ten
545
points of the compass and the very course of the sun with its
effulgence, it caused his own body also to blaze up with light. The
robes of all the warriors took fire, at which they fled away. Loud
sounds also arose there, like what is heard when a forest of
bamboos in a wilderness is on fire. Beholding that fiery weapon
acting on all sides, the suta’s son Karna of great valour shot in that
encounter the varunastra for quenching it. That conflagration then,
in consequence of Karna’s weapon, became quenched.
A large mass of clouds quickly caused all the points of the

compass to be enveloped with darkness. Those clouds whose
extremities presented the aspect of mountains, surrounding every
side, flooded the earth with water. That fierce conflagration,
though it was such, was still quenched by those clouds in a trice.
The entire welkin and all the directions, cardinal and subsidiary,
were shrouded by clouds. Thus shrouded by clouds, all the points
of the compass became dark and nothing could be seen.
Then Arjuna dispelled those clouds caused by Karna, by means of

the vayavyastra. After this, Dhananjaya, incapable of being over-
mastered by foes inspired gandiva, its string, and his shafts, with
mantras, and invoked into existence another weapon that was the
favourite of the chief of the celestials and that resembled the
thunder in energy and prowess. Then razor-headed arrows, and
anjalikas, and crescent-shaped shafts, and nalikas, and cloth-yard
546
shafts and those equipped with heads like the boar’s ear, all keen
and sharp, issued from gandiva in thousands, endued with the
force and impetuosity of the thunder. Possessed of great might and
great energy, those impetuous and keen shafts equipped with
vulturine feathers piercing all the limbs, the steeds, the bow, the
yoke, the wheels, and the standard of Karna, quickly penetrated
into them like snakes frightened by Garuda penetrating into the
earth. Pierced all over with arrows and bathed in blood, (the high-
souled) Karna then, with eyes rolling in wrath, bending his bow of
enduring string and producing a twang as loud as the roar of the
sea, invoked into existence the Bhargava weapon. Cutting off
Partha’s showers of shafts proceeding from the mouth of that
weapon of Indra (which Arjuna had shot), Karna, having thus
baffled his antagonist’s weapon with his own, destroyed cars and
elephants and foot-soldiers (of the Pandava army). Unable to
endure the feats of Arjuna in that fierce battle, the mighty car-
warrior Karna did this, through the energy of the Bhargava
weapon. Filled with wrath and possessed of great activity, the
Suta’s son, that foremost of men, laughing at the two Krishnas,
pierced the foremost of Pancala warriors with well shot arrows in
that battle. Then the Pancalas and the Somakas, O king, thus
afflicted by Karna with showers of shafts in that encounter,
became filled with wrath and uniting together pierced the Suta’s
son with keen arrows from every side. Quickly cutting off those
547
arrows with his own, the Suta’s son, vigorously agitating them in
that battle, afflicted with many shafts the cars, the elephants, and
the steeds of the Pancalas. Their bodies pierced with those shafts
of Karna, they fell down, deprived of life, on the earth, making
loud sounds, like mighty elephants slain by an angry lion of
terrible strength. Having slain those foremost of warriors, those
heroes endued with great strength, those leaders of the Pancala
forces who had always challenged him (to battle), Karna, O king,
as he shot his arrows, looked beautiful, like a mass of clouds
pouring torrents of rain. Then thy warriors, thinking that Karna
had won the victory, clapped loudly and uttered leonine roars. O
chief of the Kurus, all of them then regarded the two Krishnas as
brought by Karna under his power, seeing that valour, incapable
of being borne by foes, of the mighty car-warrior Karna.
Beholding that weapon of Dhananjaya frustrated by Karna in the
midst of battle, the angry son of the Wind-god, with eyes blazing
with wrath, began to squeeze his hands. Indeed, the wrathful
Bhima, his anger being provoked, drew deep breaths and
addressing Arjuna of true aim, said, “How, O Jishnu, could this
wretch fallen off from virtue, this Suta’s son, putting forth his
might in battle, slay so many foremost of Pancala warriors, in thy
sight? Before now thou couldst not be conquered by the very gods
or the Kalakeyas. Thou receivedst the touch of the arms of Sthanu
himself. How, then, O diadem-decked Arjuna, could the Suta’s
548
son pierce thee first with ten long shafts such as are used by car-
warriors? That the Suta’s son should today have succeeded in
baffling the arrows shot by thee seems to me to be very amazing.
Recollect the woes of Krishna, and those disagreeable, keen, and
cutting words that this wicked-souled and fearless son of a Suta
used towards us, viz., ‘Sesame seeds without kernel!’ Recollecting
all this, O Savyasaci, quickly slay the wretched Karna in battle
today. Why, O diadem-decked Arjuna, dost thou show such
indifference (towards this act)? This is not the time for showing
thy indifference to Karna’s slaughter. That patience with which
thou didst vanquish all creatures and feed Agni at Khandava, with
that patience, slay thou the Suta’s son. I also will crush him with
my mace.” Then Vasudeva, beholding Partha’s shafts baffled by
Karna, said unto the former, “What is this, O diadem-decked
Arjuna, that Karna should succeed in crushing thy weapons today
with this? Why dost, thou, O hero, lose thy wits? Markest thou not
that the Kauravas, (standing behind Karna), are even now
shouting in joy? Indeed, all of them know that thy weapons are
being baffled by Karna with his. That patience with which, Yuga
after Yuga, thou hadst slain persons having the quality of darkness
for their weapons, as also terrible Kshatriyas, and Asuras born of
pride, in many a battle—with that patience do thou slay Karna
today. Putting forth thy might, strike off the head of that foe of
thine with this Sudarsana, of edge keen as a razor, that I give unto
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thee, like Sakra striking off the head of his foe Namuci, with the
thunderbolt. That patience with which thou didst gratified the
illustrious deity Mahadeva in the guise of a hunter, summoning
that patience once again, O hero, slay the Suta’s son with all his
followers. After that, bestow upon king Yudhishthira the earth
with her belt of seas, her towns and villages, and wealth, and from
off whose surface all foes will have been removed. By that act, O
Partha, do thou also win unrivalled fame.” Thus addressed (by
Krishna), the high-souled Partha of exceeding might set his heart
upon the slaughter of the Suta’s son. Indeed, urged by Bhima and
Janardana, and recollecting (his woes), and taking an internal
survey of himself, and calling to mind the object for which he had
come to this world, he addressed Keshava, saying, “I will now
invoke into existence a mighty and fierce weapon for the good of
the world and the destruction of the Suta’s son. Let me have thy
permission, as also Brahman’s and Bhava’s, and of all those that
are conversant with Brahma.” Having said these words unto the
holy Keshava, Savyasaci of immeasurable soul bowed unto
Brahman and invoked into existence that excellent irresistible
weapon called brahmastra which could be applied by the mind
alone. Baffling that weapon, however, Karna looked beautiful as
he continued, like a cloud pouring torrents of rain, to shoot his
shafts. Beholding that weapon of the diadem-decked Arjuna
baffled in the midst of battle by Karna, the wrathful and mighty
550
Bhima, blazing up with rage, addressed Arjuna of sure aim and

said, “People say that thou art a master of the high brahmastra,
that mighty means (for achieving the destruction of foes). Do thou
then, O Savyasaci, use another weapon of the same kind.” Thus
addressed by his brother, Savyasaci used a second weapon of the
kind. With that, Partha of abundant energy shrouded all the points
of the compass, cardinal and subsidiary, with arrows sped from
gandiva that resembled fierce snakes and were like the blazing
rays of the sun. Created by that bull of Bharata’s race, those
arrows of golden wings, in hundreds upon hundreds, endued with
the effulgence of the yuga fire or the sun, in a moment shrouded
the car of Karna. Thence also issued long darts and battle-axes
and discs and cloth-yard shafts in hundreds, all of awful forms, at
which hostile warriors all around began to be deprived of life. The
head of some hostile warrior, severed from his trunk, fell down on
the field of battle. Another, beholding his fallen comrade, fell
down dead on the earth, through fear. The (right) arm of a third,
large and massive as the trunk of an elephant, cut off (by Partha),
fell down with the sword in grasp. The left arm of a fourth, cut off
with a razor-headed arrow, fell down with the shield in it. Even
thus, Partha, decked with diadem and garlands, wounded and slew
all the foremost warriors of Duryodhana’s army with his terrible
and death-dealing shafts. Vaikartana also, in the midst of that
battle, shot thousands of arrows. These, with a loud whizz, fell
551
upon the son of Pandu like torrents of rain poured from the clouds.
Then piercing Bhimasena and Janardana and the diadem-decked
Arjuna of superhuman feats, each with three arrows Karna of
terrible might uttered a loud awful roar. Struck with Karna’s
shafts, the diadem-decked Arjuna, beholding Bhima and
Janardana, became unable to endure (the feats of his antagonist).
Once more, therefore, Partha shot eight and ten arrows. Piercing
the beautiful standard of Karna with one of those arrows, he
pierced Shalya with four and Karna himself with three. With ten
other well-shot shafts he then struck the Kaurava warrior
Sabhapati, clad in golden mail. Thereupon that prince, deprived of
head and arms and steeds and driver and bow and standard, fell
down, wounded and dead, from his foremost of cars, like a Sala
tree cut down with an axe. Once more piercing Karna with three,
eight, twelve, four, and ten arrows, Partha slew 400 elephants
equipped with many weapons, and 8000 car-warriors, and 1,000
steeds with riders, and 8,000 brave foot-soldiers. And soon Partha
made Karna with his driver and car and steeds and standard
invisible with straightly coursing shafts. Then the Kauravas, thus
slaughtered by Dhananjaya, loudly addressed Adhitratha’s son,
saying, “Shoot thy arrows and slay the son of Pandu. Already, he
has begun to exterminate the Kurus with his shafts!” Thus urged,
Karna, with his best endeavours, incessantly shot many arrows.
Capable of cutting the very vitals, those blood-drinking shafts,
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well sped by Karna, slew large numbers of the Pandavas and the
Pancalas. Thus those two foremost of all bowmen, those two
warriors of great strength that were capable of bearing all foes,
those two heroes acquainted with weapons, struck the warriors
opposed to them, as also each other, with mighty weapons. Then
Yudhishthira, clad in golden mail, his arrows having been
extracted and himself made sound with mantras and drugs by
foremost of surgeons well-disposed towards him, quickly came to
that spot for witnessing (the encounter between Arjuna and
Karna). Beholding king Yudhishthira the just arrived there like the
resplendent full Moon freed from the jaws of Rahu and risen in
the firmament, all creatures became filled with delight. Beholding
those two foremost of warriors, those two first of heroes and
slayers of foes, viz., Karna and Partha, engaged in fight, the
spectators, both celestial and terrestrial, restraining the animals
they rode or that were yoked unto their vehicles, stood motionless.
As the two heroes, O king, struck each other with many foremost
of arrows, O king, the sounds caused by the bows, bow-strings,
and palms, of both Dhananjaya and Adhiratha’s son, became
tremendous and their well-sped arrows also caused a deafening
whizz. Then the bow-string of the son of Pandu, stretched with
force, broke with a loud noise. During the interval thus offered,
the Suta’s son pierced Partha with a hundred small arrows, keen
and steeped in oil, winged with the feathers of birds, and
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resembling snakes freed from their sloughs. He then quickly

pierced Vasudeva with sixty shafts, and then Phalguna again with
eight. Surya’s son then pierced Bhima with thousands upon
thousands of mighty arrows. Having pierced Krishna and Partha’s
standard, Karna felled many amongst the Somakas that followed
Partha. These, however, in return shrouded Karna with showers
of straight shafts like masses of clouds shrouding the sun in the
welkin. Accomplished in the use of weapons, the Suta’s son,
stupefying those advancing warriors with his shafts and baffling
all the weapons shot by them, destroyed their cars and steeds and
elephants. And the Suta’s son, O king, also afflicted with his
arrows many foremost of warriors among them. Their bodies
pierced with Karna’s shafts, they fell down on the ground,
deprived of life and making a loud noise as they fell. Indeed, those
mighty combatants, afflicted by Karna of terrible strength,
perished like a pack of dogs afflicted by an angry lion. And once
more many foremost of combatants among the Pancalas and many
such (among the Kauravas) fell down after this, slain by Karna
and Dhananjaya. Deprived of life by the mighty Karna with well-
aimed arrows shot with great force, many fell down, purging the
contents of their stomachs. Then thy troops, regarding the victory
to be already theirs, clapped furiously and uttered loud leonine
roars. Indeed, in that dreadful encounter, all of them regarded the
two Krishnas to have been brought by Karna under his power.
554
Then quickly bending his bow-string and baffling all those shafts
of Adhiratha’s son, Partha, filled with rage in consequence of his
limbs having been mangled with Karna’s arrows, assailed the
Kauravas. Rubbing his bow-string, he clapped his palms and
suddenly caused a darkness there with the showers of shafts he
shot. The diadem-decked Arjuna pierced Karna and Shalya and all
the Kurus with those arrows. The welkin having been darkened by
means of that mighty weapon, the very birds were unable to range
in their element, a delicious wind then blew, bearing fragrant
odours. Laughing the while, Partha forcibly struck Shalya’s
armour with ten arrows. Piercing Karna next with a dozen shafts,
he struck him once more with seven. Deeply struck with those
winged arrows of fierce energy shot with great force from
Partha’s bow, Karna, with mangled limbs and body bathed in
blood, looked resplendent like Rudra at the universal destruction,
sporting in the midst of crematorium at noon or eve, his body
dyed with blood. The son of Adhiratha then pierced Dhananjaya
who resembled the chief of the celestials himself (in energy and
might) with three arrows, and he caused five other blazing arrows
resembling five snakes to penetrate the body of Krishna. Shot with
great force, those arrows, decked with gold, pierced through the
armour of that foremost of beings and passing out of his body fell
upon the earth. Endued with great energy, they entered the earth
with great force and having bathed (in the waters of the Bhogavati
555
in the nether region) coursed back towards Karna. Those shafts

were five mighty snakes that had adopted the side of Takshaka’s
son (Aswasena whose mother Partha had slain at Khandava). With
ten broad-headed arrows shot with great force, Arjuna cut off each
of those five snakes into three fragments whereupon they fell
down on the earth. Beholding Krishna’s limbs thus mangled with
those snakes transformed into arrows sped from Karna’s arms,
Arjuna, decked with diadem and garlands, blazed up with wrath
like a fire engaged in burning a heap of dry grass. He then pierced
Karna in all his vital limbs with many blazing and fatal shafts shot
from the bow-string stretched to the very ear. (Deeply pierced),
Karna trembled in pain. With the greatest difficulty he stood,
summoning all his patience. Dhananjaya having been filled with
wrath, all the points of the compass, cardinal and subsidiary, the
very splendour of the Sun, and Karna’s car, O king, all became
invisible with the showers shot by him. The welkin seemed as if it
were shrouded by a thick forest. Then that slayer of foes, that bull
of Kuru’s race, that foremost of heroes, viz., Savyasaci, O king,
soon slew in that battle 2,000 foremost of Kuru warriors, with
their cars and steeds and drivers, forming the protectors of
Karna’s car-wheels and wings and his van-guard and rear-guard
and who constituted the very pick of Duryodhana’s car-force, and
who, urged by Duryodhana, had been fighting with great energy.
Then thy sons and the Kauravas that were still alive fled away,
556
deserting Karna, and abandoning their dying and wounded, and

their wailing sons and sires. Beholding himself abandoned by the
terrified Kurus and seeing the space around him empty, Karna felt
no agitation, O Bharata, but, on the other hand, rushed at Arjuna,
with a cheerful heart.’”
557
90
“Sanjaya said, ‘Flying away in consequence of the falling of

Arjuna’s arrows, the broken divisions of the Kauravas, staying at
a distance, continued to gaze at Arjuna’s weapon swelling with
energy and careering around with the effulgence of lightning.
Then Karna, with showers of terrible shafts, baffled that weapon
of Arjuna while it was still careering in the welkin and which
Arjuna had shot with great vigour in that fierce encounter for the
destruction of his foe. Indeed, that weapon (of Partha) which,
swelling with energy, had been consuming the Kurus, the Suta’s
son now crushed with his shafts winged with gold. Bending then
his own loud-sounding bow of irrefragable string, Karna shot
showers of shafts. The Suta’s son destroyed that burning weapon
of Arjuna with his own foe-killing weapon of great power which
he had obtained from Rama, and which resembled (in efficacy) an
Atharvan rite. And he pierced Partha also with numerous keen
shafts. The encounter then, O king, that took place between
Arjuna and the son of Adhiratha, became a very dreadful one.
They continued to strike each other with arrows like two fierce
elephants striking each other with their tusks. All the points of the
compass then became shrouded with weapons and the very sun
became invisible. Indeed, Karna and Partha, with their arrowy
558
downpours, made the welkin one vast expanse of arrows without

any space between. All the Kauravas and the Somakas then beheld
a wide-spread arrowy net. In that dense darkness caused by
arrows, they were unable to see anything else. Those two
foremost of men, both accomplished in weapons, as they
incessantly aimed and shot innumerable arrows, O king, displayed
diverse kinds of beautiful manoeuvres. While they were thus
contending with each other in battle, sometimes the Suta’s son
prevailed over his rival and sometimes the diadem-decked Partha
prevailed over his, in prowess and weapons and lightness of
hands. Beholding that terrible and awful passage-at-arms between
those two heroes each of whom was desirous of availing himself
of the other’s lapses, all the other warriors on the field of battle
became filled with wonder. The beings in the welkin, O king,
applauded Karna and Arjuna. Indeed, many of them at a time,
filled with joy, cheerfully shouted, sometimes saying, “Excellent,
O Karna!” and sometimes saying, “Excellent, O Arjuna!” During
the progress of that fierce encounter, while the earth was being
pressed deep with the weight of cars and the tread of steeds and
elephants, the snake Aswasena, who was hostile to Arjuna, was
passing his time in the nether region. Freed from the conflagration
at Khandava, O king, he had, from anger, penetrated through the
earth (for going to the subterranean region). That brave snake,
recollecting the death of his mother and the enmity he on that
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account harboured against Arjuna, now rose from the lower

region. Endued with the power of ascending the skies, he soared
up with great speed upon beholding that fight between Karna and
Arjuna. Thinking that that was the time for gratifying his
animosity towards, as he thought, the wicked-souled Partha, he
quickly entered into Karna’s quiver, O king, in the form of an
arrow. At that time a net of arrows was seen, shedding its bright
arrows around. Karna and Partha made the welkin one dense mass
of arrows by means of their arrowy downpours. Beholding that
wide-spread expanse of arrows, all the Kauravas and the Somakas
became filled with fear. In that thick and awful darkness caused
by arrows they were unable to see anything else. Then those two
tigers among men, those two foremost of all bowmen in the world,
those two heroes, fatigued with their exertions in battle, looked at
each other. Both of them were then fanned with excellent and
waving fans made of young (palm) leaves and sprinkled with
fragrant sandal-water by many Apsaras staying in the welkin. And
Sakra and Surya, using their hands, gently brushed the faces of
those two heroes. When at last Karna found that he could not
prevail over Partha and was exceedingly scorched with the shafts
of the former, that hero, his limbs very much mangled, set his
heart upon that shaft of his which lay singly within a quiver. The
Suta’s son then fixed on his bow-string that foe-killing,
exceedingly keen, snake-mouthed, blazing, and fierce shaft, which
560
had been polished according to rule, and which he had long kept
for the sake of Partha’s destruction. Stretching his bow-string to
his ear, Karna fixed that shaft of fierce energy and blazing
splendour, that ever-worshipped weapon which lay within a
golden quiver amid sandal dust, and aimed it at Partha. Indeed, he
aimed that blazing arrow, born in Airavata’s race, for cutting off
Phalguna’s head in battle. All the points of the compass and the
welkin became ablaze and terrible meteors, and thunderbolts fell.
When that snake of the form of an arrow was fixed on the bow-
string, the Regents of the world, including Sakra, set up loud
wails. The Suta’s son did not know that the snake Aswasena had
entered his arrow by the aid of his Yoga powers. Beholding
Vaikartana aim that arrow, the high-souled ruler of the Madras,
addressing Karna, said, “This arrow, O Karna, will not succeed in
striking off Arjuna’s head. Searching carefully, fix another arrow
that may succeed in striking off thy enemy’s head.” Endued with
great activity, the Suta’s son, with eyes burning in wrath, then said
unto the ruler of the Madras, “O Shalya, Karna never aimeth an
arrow twice. Persons like us never become crooked warriors.”
Having said these words, Karna, with great care, let off that shaft
which he had worshipped for many long years. Bent upon winning
the victory, O king, he quickly said unto his rival, “Thou art slain,
O Phalguna!” Sped from Karna’s arms, that shaft of awful whizz,
resembling fire or the sun in splendour, as it left the bow-string,
561
blazed up in the welkin and seemed to divide it by a line such as is

visible on the crown of a woman dividing her tresses. Beholding
that shaft blazing in the welkin, the slayer of Kamsa, Madhava,
with great speed and the greatest ease, pressed down with his feet
that excellent car, causing it to sink about a cubit deep. At this, the
steeds, white as the rays of the moon and decked in trappings of
gold, bending their knees, laid themselves down on the ground.
Indeed, seeing that snake (in the form of an arrow) aimed by
Karna, Madhava, that foremost of all persons endued with might,
put forth his strength and thus pressed down with his feet that car
into the earth, whereat the steeds, (as already said) bending down
their knees, laid themselves down upon the earth when the car
itself had sank into it. Then loud sounds arose in the welkin in
applause of Vasudeva. Many celestial voices were heard, and
celestial flowers were showered upon Krishna, and leonine shouts
also were uttered. When the car had thus been pressed down into
the earth through the exertions of the slayer of Madhu, the
excellent ornament of Arjuna’s head, celebrated throughout the
earth, the welkin, heaven, and the waters, the Suta’s son swept off
from the crown of his rival, with that arrow, in consequence of the
very nature of that snaky weapon and the great care and wrath
with which it had been shot. That diadem, endued with the
splendour of the sun or the moon or fire or a planet, and adorned
with gold and pearls and gems and diamonds, had with great care
562
been made by the puissant Self-born himself for Purandara. Costly

as its appearance indicated, it was inspiring terror in the hearts of
foes, contributing to the happiness of him that wore it, and
shedding a fragrance, that ornament had been given by the chief
of the celestials himself with a cheerful heart unto Partha while
the latter had proceeded to slaughter the foes of the gods. That
diadem was incapable of being crushed by Rudra and the Lord of
waters and Kuvera with Pinaka and noose and thunderbolt and the
very foremost of shafts. It could not be endured by even the
foremost ones among the gods. Vrisha, however, now broke it
forcibly with his snake-inspired shaft. Endued with great activity,
that wicked-natured snake of fierce form and false vows, falling
upon that diadem-decked with gold and gems, swept it away from
Arjuna’s head. That snake, O king, forcibly tore it away from
Partha’s head, quickly reducing into fragments that well-made
ornament set over with many a gem and blazing with beauty, like
the thunderbolt riving a mountain summit decked with lofty and
beautiful trees graced with flowers. Crushed by that excellent
weapon, possessed of splendour, and blazing with the fire of (the
snake’s) poison, that beautiful and much-liked diadem of Partha
fell down on the earth like the blazing disc of the Sun from the
Asta hills. Indeed, that snake forcibly swept away from Arjuna’s
head that diadem adorned with many gems, like the thunder of
Indra felling a beautiful mountain summit adorned with lofty trees
563
bearing budding leaves and flowers. And the earth, welkin,

heaven, and the waters, when agitated by a tempest, roar aloud, O
Bharata, even such was the roar that arose in all the worlds at that
time. Hearing that tremendous noise, people, notwithstanding
their efforts to be calm, became extremely agitated and reeled as
they stood. Reft of diadem, the dark complexioned and youthful
Partha looked beautiful like a blue mountain of lofty summit.
Binding then his locks with a white cloth, Arjuna stood perfectly
unmoved. With that white gear on his head, he looked like the
Udaya hill illumined with the rays of the sun. Thus that she-snake
(whom Arjuna had killed at Khandava) of excellent mouth,
through her son in the form of an arrow, sped by Surya’s son,
beholding Arjuna of exceeding energy and might standing with
his head at a level with the reins of the steeds, took away his
diadem only, that well-made ornament (formerly) owned by
Aditi’s son and endued with the effulgence of Surya himself. But
Arjuna also (as will appear in the sequel) did not return from that
battle without causing the snake to succumb to the power of
Yama. Sped from Karna’s arms, that costly shaft resembling fire
or the sun in effulgence, viz., that mighty snake who from before
had become the deadly foe of Arjuna, thus crushing the latter’s
diadem, went away. Having burnt the gold-decked diadem of
Arjuna displayed on his head, he desired to come to Arjuna once
more with great speed. Asked, however, by Karna (who saw him
564
but knew him not), he said these words, “Thou hadst sped me, O
Karna, without having seen me. It was for this that I could not
strike off Arjuna’s head. Do thou quickly shoot me once again,
after seeing me well. I shall then slay thy foe and mine too.” Thus
addressed in that battle by him, the Suta’s son said, “Who are you
possessed of such fierce form?” The snake answered, saying,
“Know me as one that has been wronged by Partha. My enmity
towards him is due to his having slain my mother. If the wielder
of the thunderbolt himself were to protect Partha, the latter would
still have to go to the domains of the king of the pitris. Do not
disregard me. Do my bidding. I will slay thy foe. Shoot me
without delay.” Hearing those words, Karna said, “Karna, O
snake, never desires to have victory in battle today by relying on
another’s might. Even if I have to slay a hundred Arjunas, I will
not, O snake, still shoot the same shaft twice.” Once more
addressing him in the midst of battle, that best of men, viz.,
Surya’s son, Karna, said, “Aided by the nature of my other snaky
weapons, and by resolute effort and wrath, I shall slay Partha. Be
thou happy and go elsewhere.” Thus addressed, in battle, by
Karna, that prince of snakes, unable from rage to bear those
words, himself proceeded, O king, for the slaughter of Partha,
having assumed the form of an arrow. Of fierce form, the desire
he ardently cherished was the destruction of his enemy. Then
Krishna, addressing Partha in that encounter, said into him, “Slay
565
that great snake inimical to thee.” Thus addressed by the slayer of

Madhu, the wielder of Gandiva, that bowman who was always
fierce unto foes, enquired of him, saying, “Who is that snake that
advanceth of his own accord against me, as if, indeed he
advanceth right against the mouth of Garuda?” Krishna replied,
“Whilst thou, armed with bow, wert engaged at Khandava in
gratifying the god Agni, this snake was then in the sky, his body
ensconced within his mother’s. Thinking that it was only a single
snake that was so staying in the sky, thou killedest the mother.
Remembering that act of hostility done by thee, he cometh
towards thee today for thy destruction. O resister of foes, behold
him coming like a blazing meteor, falling from the firmament!’”
“Sanjaya continued, ‘Then Jishnu, turning his face in rage, cut off,
with six keen shafts, that snake in the welkin as the latter was
coursing in a slanting direction. His body thus cut off, he fell
down on the earth. After that snake had been cut off by Arjuna,
the lord Keshava himself, O king, of massive arms, that foremost
of beings, raised up with his arms that car from the earth. At that
time, Karna, glancing obliquely at Dhananjaya, pierced that
foremost of persons, viz., Krishna, with ten shafts whetted on
stone and equipped with peacock feathers. Then Dhananjaya,
piercing Karna with a dozen well-shot and keen arrows equipped
with heads like the boar’s ear, sped a cloth-yard shaft endued with
the energy of a snake of virulent poison and shot from his bow-
566
string stretched to his ear. That foremost of shafts, well shot by

Arjuna, penetrated through Karna’s armour, and as if suspending
his life breaths, drank his blood and entered the earth, its wings
also having been drenched with gore. Endued with great activity,
Vrisha, enraged at the stroke of the shaft, like a snake beaten with
stick, shot many mighty shafts, like snakes of virulent poison
vomiting venom. And he pierced Janardana with a dozen shafts
and Arjuna with nine and ninety. And once more piercing the son
of Pandu with a terrible shaft, Karna laughed and uttered a loud
roar. The son of Pandu, however, could not endure his enemy’s
joy. Acquainted with all the vital parts of the human body, Partha,
possessed of prowess like that of Indra, pierced those vital limbs
with hundreds of arrows even as Indra had struck Vala with great
energy. Then Arjuna sped ninety arrows, each resembling the rod
of Death at Karna. Deeply pierced with those shafts, Karna
trembled like a mountain riven with thunder. The head-gear of
Karna, adorned with costly gems and precious diamonds and pure
gold, as also his earrings, cut off by Dhananjaya with his winged
arrows, fell down on the earth. The costly and bright armour also
of the Suta’s son that had been forged with great care by many
foremost of artists working for a long time, the son of Pandu cut
off within a moment in many fragments. After thus divesting him
of his armour, Partha then, in rage, pierced Karna with four
whetted shafts of great energy. Struck forcibly by his foe, Karna
567
suffered great pain like a diseased person afflicted by bile,

phlegm, wind, and fever. Once more Arjuna, with great speed,
mangled Karna, piercing his very vitals, with numerous excellent
shafts, of great keenness, and sped from his circling bow with
much force and speed and care. Deeply struck by Partha with
those diverse arrows of keen points and fierce energy, Karna
(covered with blood) looked resplendent like a mountain of red
chalk with streams of red water running adown its breast. Once
more Arjuna pierced Karna in the centre of the chest with many
straight-coursing and strong shafts made entirely of iron and
equipped with wings of gold and each resembling the fiery rod of
the Destroyer, like the son of Agni piercing the Krauncha
mountains. Then the Suta’s son, casting aside his bow that
resembled the very bow of Sakra, as also his quiver, felt great
pain, and stood inactive, stupefied, and reeling, his grasp loosened
and himself in great anguish. The virtuous Arjuna, observant of
the duty of manliness, wished not to slay his enemy while fallen
into such distress. The younger brother of Indra then, with great
excitement, addressed him, saying, “Why, O son of Pandu, dost
thou become so forgetful? They that are truly wise never spare
their foes, however weak, even for a moment. He that is learned
earneth both merit and fame by slaying foes fallen into distress.
Lose no time in precipitately crushing Karna who is always
inimical to thee and who is the first of heroes. The Suta’s son,
568
when able, will once more advance against thee as before. Slay
him, therefore, like Indra slaying the Asura Namuci.” Saying, “So
be it, O Krishna!” and worshipping Janardana, Arjuna, that
foremost of all persons in Kuru’s race once more quickly pierced
Karna with many excellent arrows like the ruler of heaven,
piercing the Asura, Samvara. The diadem-decked Partha, O
Bharata, covered Karna and his car and steeds with many calf-
toothed arrows, and putting forth all his vigour he shrouded all the
points of the compass with shafts equipped with wings of gold.
Pierced with those arrows equipped with heads like the calf’s
tooth, Adhiratha’s son of broad chest looked resplendent like an
Asoka or Palasa or Salmali decked with its flowery load or a
mountain overgrown with a forest of sandal trees. Indeed, with
those numerous arrows sticking to his body, Karna, O monarch, in
that battle, looked resplendent like the prince of mountains with
its top and glens overgrown with trees or decked with flowering
Karnikaras. Karna also shooting repeated showers of arrows,
looked, with those arrows constituting his rays, like the sun
coursing towards the Asta hills, with disc bright with crimson
rays. Shafts, however, of keen points, sped from Arjuna’s arms,
encountering in the welkin the blazing arrows, resembling mighty
snakes, sped from the arms of Adhiratha’s son, destroyed them all.
Recovering his coolness, and shooting many shafts that resembled
angry snakes, Karna then pierced Partha with ten shafts and
569
Krishna with half a dozen, each of which looked like an angry

snake. Then Dhananjaya desired to shoot a mighty and terrible
arrow, made wholly of iron, resembling the poison of snake or fire
in energy, and whose whizz resembling the peal of Indra’s
thunder, and which was inspired with the force of a high
(celestial) weapon. At that time, when the hour of Karna’s death
had come, Kala, approaching invisibly, and alluding to the
Brahmana’s curse, and desirous of informing Karna that his death
was near, told him, “The Earth is devouring thy wheel!” Indeed, O
foremost of men, when the hour of Karna’s death came, the high
brahmastra that the illustrious Bhargava had imparted unto him,
escaped from his memory. And the earth also began to devour the
left wheel of his car. Then in consequence of the curse of that
foremost of Brahmanas, Karna’s car began to reel, having sunk
deep into the earth and having been transfixed at that spot like a
sacred tree with its load of flowers standing upon an elevated
platform. When his car began to reel from the curse of the
Brahmana, and when the high weapon he had obtained from Rama
no longer shone in him through inward light, and when his terrible
snake-mouthed shaft also had been cut off by Partha, Karna
became filled with melancholy. Unable to endure all those
calamities, he waved his arms and began to rail at righteousness
saying, “They that are conversant with righteousness always say
that righteousness protects those that are righteous. As regards
570
ourselves, we always endeavour, to the best of our ability and

knowledge to practise righteousness. That righteousness, however,
is destroying us now instead of protecting us that are devoted to it.
I, therefore, think that righteousness does not always protect its
worshippers.” While saying these words, he became exceedingly
agitated by the strokes of Arjuna’s arrows. His steeds and his
driver also were displaced from their usual position. His very
vitals having been struck, he became indifferent as to what he did,
and repeatedly railed at righteousness in that battle. He then
pierced Krishna in the arm with three terrible arrows, and Partha,
too, with seven. Then Arjuna sped seven and ten terrible arrows,
perfectly straight and of fierce impetuosity, resembling fire in
splendour and like unto Indra’s thunder in force. Endued with
awful impetuosity, those arrows pierced Karna and passing out of
his body fell upon the surface of the earth. Trembling at the shock,
Karna then displayed his activity to the utmost of his power.
Steadying himself by a powerful effort he invoked the brahmastra.
Beholding the brahmastra, Arjuna invoked the Aindra weapon
with proper mantras. Inspiring gandiva, its string, and his shafts
also, with mantras, that scorcher of foes poured showers like
Purandara pouring rain in torrents. Those arrows endued with
great energy and power, issuing out of Partha’s car, were seen to
be displayed in the vicinity of Karna’s vehicle. The mighty car-
warrior Karna baffled all those shafts displayed in his front.
571
Seeing that weapon thus destroyed, the Vrishni hero, addressing

Arjuna, said, “Shoot high weapons, O Partha! The son of Radha
baffles thy shafts.” With proper mantras, Arjuna then fixed the
brahmastra on his string, and shrouding all the points of the
compass with arrows, Partha struck Karna (with many) arrows.
Then Karna, with a number of whetted shafts endued with great
energy, cut off the string of Arjuna’s bow. Similarly he cut off the
second string, and then the third, and then the fourth, and then the
fifth. The sixth also was cut off by Vrisha, and then the seventh,
then the eighth, then the ninth, then the tenth, and then at last the
eleventh. Capable of shooting hundreds upon hundreds of arrows,
Karna knew not that Partha had a hundred strings to his bow.
Tying another string to his bow and shooting many arrows, the
son of Pandu covered Karna with shafts that resembled snakes of
blazing mouths. So quickly did Arjuna replace each broken string
that Karna could not mark when it was broken and when replaced.
The feat seemed to him to be exceedingly wonderful. The son of
Radha baffled with his own weapons those of Savyasaci.
Displaying also his own prowess, he seemed to get the better of
Dhananjaya at that time. Then Krishna, beholding Arjuna afflicted
with the weapons of Karna, said these words unto Partha:
“Approaching Karna, strike him with superior weapons.” Then

Dhananjaya, filled with rage, inspiring with mantras another
celestial weapons that looked like fire and that resembled the
572
poison of the snake and that was as hard as the essence of

adamant, and uniting the Raudra weapon with it, became desirous
of shooting it at his foe. At that time, O king, the earth swallowed
up one of wheels of Karna’s car. Quickly alighting then from his
vehicle, he seized his sunken wheel with his two arms and
endeavoured to lift it up with a great effort. Drawn up with force
by Karna, the earth, which had swallowed up his wheel, rose up to
a height of four fingers’ breadth, with her seven islands and her
hills and waters and forests. Seeing his wheel swallowed, the son
of Radha shed tears from wrath, and beholding Arjuna, filled with
rage he said these words, “O Partha, O Partha, wait for a moment,
that is, till I lift this sunken wheel. Beholding, O Partha, the left
wheel of my car swallowed through accident by the earth,
abandon (instead of cherishing) this purpose (of striking and
slaying me) that is capable of being harboured by only a coward.
Brave warriors that are observant of the practices of the righteous,
never shoot their weapons at persons with dishevelled hair, or at
those that have turned their faces from battle, or at a Brahmana, or
at him who joins his palms, or at him who yields himself up or
beggeth for quarter or at one who has put up his weapon, or at one
whose arrows are exhausted, or at one whose armour is displaced,
or at one whose weapon has fallen off or been broken! Thou art
the bravest of men in the world. Thou art also of righteous
behaviour, O son of Pandu! Thou art well-acquainted with the
573
rules of battle. For these reasons, excuse me for a moment, that is,
till I extricate my wheel, O Dhananjaya, from the earth. Thyself
staying on thy car and myself standing weak and languid on the
earth, it behoveth thee not to slay me now. Neither Vasudeva, nor
thou, O son of Pandu, inspirest me with the slightest fear. Thou art
born in the Kshatriya order. Thou art the perpetuator of a high
race.
Recollecting the teachings of righteousness, excuse me for a

moment, O son of Pandu!”
574
91
“Sanjaya said, ‘Then Vasudeva, stationed on the car, addressed

Karna, saying, “By good luck it is, O son of Radha, that thou
rememberest virtue! It is generally seen that they that are mean,
when they sink into distress, rail at Providence but never at their
own misdeeds. Thyself and Suyodhana and Duhshasana and
Shakuni, the son of Subala, had caused Draupadi, clad in a single
piece of raiment, to be brought into the midst of the assembly. On
that occasion, O Karna, this virtue of thine did not manifest itself.
When at the assembly Shakuni, an adept in dice, vanquished
Kunti’s son Yudhishthira who was unacquainted with it, whither
had this virtue of thine gone? When the Kuru king (Duryodhana),
acting under thy counsels, treated Bhimasena in that way with the
aid of snakes and poisoned food, whither had this virtue of thine
then gone? When the period of exile into the woods was over as
also the thirteenth year, thou didst not make over to the Pandavas
their kingdom. Whither had this virtue of thine then gone? Thou
didst set fire to the house of lac at Varanavata for burning to death
the sleeping Pandavas. Whither then, O son of Radha, had this
virtue of thine gone? Thou laughedest at Krishna while she stood
in the midst of the assembly, scantily dressed because in her
season and obedient to Duhshasana’s will, whither, then, O Karna,
575
had this virtue of thine gone? When from the apartment reserved
for the females innocent Krishna was dragged, thou didst not
interfere. Whither, O son of Radha, had this virtue of thine gone?
Thyself addressing the princess Draupadi, that lady whose tread is
as dignified as that of the elephant, in these words, viz., ‘The
Pandavas, O Krishna, are lost. They have sunk into eternal hell.
Do thou choose another husband!’ thou lookedest on the scene
with delight. Whither then, O Karna, had this virtue of thine gone?
Covetous of kingdom and relying on the ruler of the Gandharvas,
thou summonedest the Pandavas (to a match of dice). Whither
then had this virtue of thine gone? When many mighty car-
warriors, encompassing the boy Abhimanyu in battle, slew him,
whither had this virtue of thine then gone? If this virtue that thou
now invokest was nowhere on those occasions, what is the use
then of parching thy palate now, by uttering that word? Thou art
now for the practice of virtue, O Suta, but thou shalt not escape
with life. Like Nala who was defeated by Pushkara with the aid of
dice but who regained his kingdom by prowess, the Pandavas,
who are free from cupidity, will recover their kingdom by the
prowess of their arms, aided with all their friends. Having slain in
battle their powerful foes, they, with the Somakas, will recover
their kingdom. The Dhartarashtras will meet with destruction at
the hands of those lions among men (viz., the sons of Pandu), that
are always protected by virtue!’”
576
“Sanjaya continued, ‘Thus addressed, O Bharata, by Vasudeva,

Karna hung down his head in shame and gave no answer. With
lips quivering in rage, he raised his bow, O Bharata, and, being
endued with great energy and prowess, he continued to fight with
Partha. Then Vasudeva, addressing Phalguna, that bull among
men, said, “O thou of great might, piercing Karna with a celestial
weapon, throw him down.” Thus addressed by the holy one,
Arjuna became filled with rage. Indeed, remembering the
incidents alluded to by Krishna, Dhananjaya blazed up with fury.
Then, O king, blazing flames of fire seemed to emanate from all
the pores of the angry Partha’s body. The sight seemed to be
exceedingly wonderful. Beholding it, Karna, invoking the
brahmastra, showered his shafts upon Dhananjaya, and once more
made an effort to extricate his car. Partha also, by the aid of the
brahmastra, poured arrowy downpours upon Karna. Baffling with
his own weapon the weapon of his foe, the son of Pandu
continued to strike him. The son of Kunti then, aiming at Karna
sped another favourite weapon of his that was inspired with the
energy of Agni. Sped by Arjuna, that weapon blazed up with its
own energy. Karna, however, quenched that conflagration with
the Varuna weapon. The Suta’s son also, by the clouds he created,
caused all the points of the compass to be shrouded with a
darkness such as may be seen on a rainy day. The son of Pandu,
endued with great energy, fearlessly dispelled those clouds by
577
means of the Vayavya weapon in the very sight of Karna. The

Suta’s son then, for slaying the son of Pandu, took up a terrible
arrow blazing like fire. When that adored shaft was fixed on the
bow-string, the earth, O king, trembled with her mountains and
waters and forests. Violent winds began to blow, bearing hard
pebbles. All the points of the compass became enveloped with
dust. Wails of grief, O Bharata, arose among the gods in the
welkin. Beholding that shaft aimed by the Suta’s son, O sire, the
Pandavas, with cheerless hearts, gave themselves up to great
sorrow. That shaft of keen point and endued with the effulgence
of Sakra’s thunder, sped from Karna’s arms, fell upon
Dhananjaya’s chest and penetrated it like a mighty snake
penetrating an ant-hill. That grinder of foes, viz., the high-souled
Vibhatsu, thus deeply pierced in that encounter, began to reel. His
grasp became loosened, at which his bow Gandiva dropped from
his hand. He trembled like the prince of mountains in an
earthquake. Availing himself of that opportunity, the mighty car-
warrior Vrisha, desirous of extricating his car-wheel that had been
swallowed up by the earth, jumped down from his vehicle.
Seizing the wheel with his two arms he endeavoured to drag it up,
but though possessed of great strength, he failed in his efforts, as
destiny would have it. Meanwhile the diadem-decked and high-
souled Arjuna, recovering his senses, took up a shaft, fatal as the
rod of Death, and called anjalika. Then Vasudeva, addressing
578
Partha, said, “Cut off with thy arrow the head of this enemy of
thine, viz., Vrisha, before he succeeds in getting upon his car.”
Applauding those words of the lord Vasudeva, and while the
wheel of his enemy was still sunk, the mighty car-warrior Arjuna
took up a razor-headed arrow of blazing effulgence and struck the
standard (of Karna) bearing the elephant’s rope and bright as the
spotless sun. That standard bearing the device of the costly
elephant’s rope, was adorned with gold and pearls and gems and
diamonds, and forged with care by foremost of artists excelling in
knowledge, and possessed of great beauty, and variegated with
pure gold. That standard always used to fill thy troops with high
courage and the enemy with fear. Its form commanded applause.
Celebrated over the whole world, it resembled the sun in
splendour. Indeed, its effulgence was like that of fire or the sun or
the moon. The diadem-decked Arjuna, with that razor-headed
shaft, exceedingly sharp, equipped with wings of gold, possessed
of the splendour of fire when fed with libations of clarified butter,
and blazing with beauty, cut off that standard of Adhiratha’s son,
that great car-warrior. With that standard, as it fell, the fame,
pride, hope of victory, and everything dear, as also the hearts of
the Kurus, fell, and loud wails of “Oh!” and “Alas!” arose (from
the Kuru army). Beholding that standard cut off and thrown down
by that hero of Kuru’s race possessed of great lightness of hand,
thy troops, O Bharata, were no longer hopeful of Karna’s victory.
579
Hastening then for Karna’s destruction, Partha took out from his
quiver an excellent Anjalika weapon that resembled the thunder of
Indra or the rod of fire and that was possessed of the effulgence of
the thousand-rayed Sun. Capable of penetrating the very vitals,
besmeared with blood and flesh, resembling fire or the sun, made
of costly materials, destructive of men, steeds, and elephants, of
straight course and fierce impetuosity, it measured three cubits
and six feet. Endued with the force of the thousand-eyed Indra’s
thunder, irresistible as Rakshasas in the night, resembling Pinaka
or Narayana’s discus, it was exceedingly terrible and destructive
of all living creatures. Partha cheerfully took up that great
weapon, in the shape of an arrow, which could not be resisted by
the very gods, that high-souled being which was always adored by
the son of Pandu, and which was capable of vanquishing the very
gods and the Asuras. Beholding that shaft grasped by Partha in
that battle, the entire universe shook with its mobile and immobile
creatures. Indeed, seeing that weapon raised (for being sped) in
that dreadful battle, the Rishis loudly cried out, “Peace be to the
universe!” The wielder of Gandiva then fixed on his bow that
unrivalled arrow, uniting it with a high and mighty weapon.
Drawing his bow Gandiva, he quickly said, “Let this shaft of mine
be like a mighty weapon capable of quickly destroying the body
and heart of my enemy, if I have ever practised ascetic austerities,
gratified my superiors, and listened to the counsels of well-
580
wishers. Let this shaft, worshipped by me and possessed of great

sharpness, slay my enemy Karna by that Truth.” Having said these
words Dhananjaya let off that terrible shaft for the destruction of
Karna, that arrow fierce and efficacious as a rite prescribed in the
Atharvan of Angiras, blazing with effulgence, and incapable of
being endured by Death himself in battle. And the diadem-decked
Partha, desirous of slaying Karna, with great cheerfulness, said,
“Let this shaft conduce to my victory. Shot by me, let this arrow
possessed of the splendour of fire or the sun take Karna to the
presence of Yama.” Saying these words, Arjuna, decked with
diadem and garlands, cherishing feelings of hostility towards
Karna and desirous of slaying him, cheerfully struck his foe with
that foremost of shafts which was possessed of the splendour of
the sun or the moon and capable of bestowing victory. Thus sped
by that mighty warrior, that shaft endued with the energy of the
sun caused all the points of the compass to blaze up with light.
With that weapon Arjuna struck off his enemy’s head like Indra
striking off the head of Vritra with his thunder. Indeed, O king,
with that excellent Anjalika weapon inspired with mantras into a
mighty weapon, the son of Indra cut off the head of Vaikartana in
the afternoon. Thus cut off with that Anjalika, the trunk of Karna
fell down on the earth. The head also of that commander of the
(Kaurava) army, endued with splendour equal to that of the risen
sun and resembling the meridian sun of autumn, fell down on the
581
earth like the sun of bloody disc dropped down from the Asta
hills. Indeed, that head abandoned with great unwillingness the
body, exceedingly beautiful and always nursed in luxury, of Karna
of noble deeds, like an owner abandoning with great
unwillingness his commodious mansion filled with great wealth.
Cut off with Arjuna’s arrow, and deprived of life, the tall trunk of
Karna endued with great splendour, with blood issuing from every
wound, fell down like the thunder-riven summit of a mountain of
red chalk with crimson streams running down its sides after a
shower. Then from that body of the fallen Karna a light passing
through the welkin penetrated the sun. This wonderful sight, O
king, was beheld by the human warriors after the fall of Karna.
Then the Pandavas, beholding Karna slain by Phalguna, loudly
blew their conchs. Similarly, Krishna and Dhananjaya also, filled
with delight, and losing no time, blew their conchs. The Somakas
beholding Karna slain and lying on the field, were filled with joy
and uttered loud shouts with the other troops (of the Pandava
army). In great delight they blew their trumpets and waved their
arms and garments. All the warriors, O king, approaching Partha,
began to applaud him joyfully. Others, possessed of might,
danced, embracing each other, and uttering loud shouts, said, “By
good luck, Karna hath been stretched on the earth and mangled
with arrows.” Indeed, the severed head of Karna looked beautiful
like a mountain summit loosened by a tempest, or a quenched fire
582
after the sacrifice is over, or the image of the sun after it has
reached the Asta hills. The Karna-sun, with arrows for its rays,
after having scorched the hostile army, was at last caused to be set
by the mighty Arjuna-time. As the Sun, while proceeding towards
the Asta hills, retires taking away with him all his rays, even so
that shaft (of Arjuna) passed out, taking with it Karna’s life
breaths. The death hour of the Suta’s son, O sire, was the
afternoon of that day. Cut off with the Anjalika weapon in that
battle, the head of Karna fell down along with his body. Indeed,
that arrow of Arjuna, in the very sight of the Kaurava troops,
quickly took away the head and the body of Karna. Beholding the
heroic Karna thrown down stretched on the earth, pierced with
arrows and bathed in blood, the king of the Madras, went away on
that car deprived of its standard. After the fall of Karna, the
Kauravas, deeply pierced with shafts in that battle, and afflicted
with fear, fled away from the field, frequently casting their eyes
on that lofty standard of Arjuna that blazed with splendour. The
beautiful head, graced with a face that resembled a lotus of a
1,000 petals, of Karna whose feats were like those of the
thousand-eyed Indra, fell down on the earth like the thousand-
rayed sun as he looks at the close of day.’”
583
92
“Sanjaya said, ‘Beholding the troops crushed with arrows in that

encounter between Karna and Arjuna, Shalya proceeded, filled
with wrath, on that car divested of equipment. Beholding his army
deprived of the Suta’s son and its cars and steeds and elephants
destroyed, Duryodhana, with eyes bathed in tears, repeatedly
sighed the very picture of woe. Desirous of beholding the heroic
Karna, pierced with arrows and bathed in blood, and stretched on
the earth like the sun dropped from the skies at will, the warriors
came there and stood surrounding the fallen hero. Amongst those
belonging to the enemy and thy army that thus stood there, some
showed signs of joy, some of fear, some of sorrow, some of
wonder, and some gave themselves up to great grief, according to
their respective natures. Others amongst the Kauravas, hearing
that Karna of mighty energy had been slain by Dhananjaya, his
armour, ornaments, robes, and weapons having all been displaced,
fled in fear like a herd of kine afflicted with exceeding fear at
losing its bull. Bhima then, uttering loud roars and causing the
welkin to tremble with those awful and tremendous shouts, began
to slap his armpits, jump, and dance, frightening the
Dhartarashtras by those movements. The Somakas and the
Srinjayas also loudly blew their conchs. All the Kshatriyas
584
embraced one another in joy, upon beholding the Suta’s son slain
at that juncture. Having fought a dreadful battle, Karna was slain
by Arjuna like an elephant by a lion. That bull among men,
Arjuna, thus accomplished his vow. Indeed even thus, Partha
reached the end of his hostility (towards Karna). The ruler of the
Madras, with stupefied heart, quickly proceeding, O king, to the
side of Duryodhana, on that car divested of standard said in
sorrow these words, “The elephants, the steeds, and the foremost
of car-warriors of thy army have been slain. In consequence of
those mighty warriors, and steeds, and elephants huge as hills,
having been slain after coming into contact with one another, thy
host looks like the domains of Yama. Never before, O Bharata,
has a battle been fought like that between Karna and Arjuna
today. Karna had powerfully assailed the two Krishnas today and
all others who are thy foes. Destiny, however, has certainly
flowed, controlled by Partha. It is for this that Destiny is
protecting the Pandavas and weakening us. Many are the heroes
who, resolved to accomplish thy objects have been forcibly slain
by the enemy. Brave kings, who in energy, courage, and might,
were equal to Kuvera or Yama or Vasava or the Lord of the
waters, who were possessed of every merit, who were almost
unslayable, and who were desirous of achieving thy object, have
in battle been slain by the Pandavas. Do not, O Bharata, grieve for
this. This is Destiny. Comfort thyself. Success cannot be always
585
attained.” Hearing these words of the ruler of the Madras and

reflecting on his own evil doings. Duryodhana, with a cheerless
heart, became almost deprived of his senses and sighed repeatedly
the very picture of woe.’”
586
93
“Dhritarashtra said, ‘What was the aspect of the Kuru and the
Srinjaya host on that awful day while it was crushed with arrows
and scorched (with weapons) in that encounter between Karna and
Arjuna and while it was flying away from the field?’
“Sanjaya said, ‘Hear, O king, with attention how that awful and
great carnage of human beings and elephants and steeds occurred
in battle. When, after Karna’s fall Partha uttered leonine shouts, a
great fright entered the hearts of thy sons. Upon the fall of Karna
no warrior of thy army set his heart on rallying the troops or
putting forth his prowess. Their refuge having been destroyed by
Arjuna, they were then like raftless merchants, whose vessels have
wrecked on the fathomless ocean, desirous of crossing the
uncrossable main. After the slaughter of the Suta’s son, O king,
the Kauravas, terrified and mangled with shafts, masterless and
desirous of protection, became like a herd of elephants afflicted by
lions. Vanquished by Savyasaci on that afternoon, they fled away
like bulls with broken horns or snakes with broken fangs. Their
foremost of heroes slain, their troops thrown into confusion,
themselves mangled with keen arrows, thy sons, after the fall of
Karna, O king, fled away in fear. Divested of weapons and
armour, no longer able to ascertain which point of the compass
587
was which, and deprived of their senses, they crushed one another
in course of their flight and looked at one another, afflicted with
fear. “It is me that Vibhatsu is pursuing with speed!” “It is me that
Vrikodara is pursuing with speed!”—thought every one among
the Kauravas who became pale with fear and fell down as they
fled. Some on horses, some on cars, some on elephants, and some
on foot, mighty car-warriors, endued with great speed, fled away
in fear. Cars were broken by elephants, horsemen were crushed by
great car-warriors, and bands of foot-soldiers were trodden down
by bodies of horsemen, as these fled in fear. After the fall of the
Suta’s son, thy warriors became like people without protectors in
a forest teeming with beasts of prey and robbers. They were then
like elephants without riders and men without arms. Afflicted with
fear, they looked upon the world as if it were full of Partha.
Beholding them fly away afflicted with the fear of Bhimasena,
indeed, and seeing his troops thus leave the field in thousands,
Duryodhana, uttering cries of “Oh!” and “Alas!” addressed his
driver, saying, “Partha will never be able to transgress me
standing bow in hand. Urge my steeds slowly behind all the
troops. Without doubt, if I fight standing in the rear of the army,
the son of Kunti will never be able to transgress me even as the
vast deep is unable to transgress its continents. Slaying Arjuna and
Govinda and the proud Vrikodara and the rest of my foes, I will
free myself from the debt I owe to Karna.” Hearing these words of
588
the Kuru king that were so worthy of a hero and honourable man,
the charioteer slowly urged his steeds adorned with trappings of
gold. Then 25,000 warriors on foot, belonging to thy army,
without cars and cavalry and elephants among them, prepared for
battle. Bhimasena, filled with wrath, and Dhrishtadyumna the son
of Prishata, encompassed them with four kinds of forces and
began to strike them with their shafts. In return, those warriors
fought with Bhima and Prishata’s son. Some amongst them
challenged the two heroes by name. Then Bhimasena became
filled with rage. Alighting from his car, mace in hand, he fought
with those warriors arrived for battle. Observant of the rules of
fair fight, Vrikodara, the son of Kunti, came down from his car,
and relying upon the might of his arms, began to fight on foot
with those foes of his that were on foot. Taking up his massive
mace adorned with gold, he began to slaughter them all, like the
Destroyer armed with his bludgeon. The Kaurava warriors on
foot, filled with rage and becoming reckless of their lives, rushed
against Bhima in that battle like insects upon a blazing fire. Those
infuriated combatants, difficult of being defeated in battle,
approaching Bhimasena, perished in a trice like living creatures
upon seeing the Destroyer. The mighty Bhima, armed with a
mace, careered like a hawk and destroyed all those 25,000
combatants. Having slain that division of heroic warriors, Bhima,
of prowess incapable of being baffled and of great might, once
589
more stood, with Dhrishtadyumna before him. Possessed of great

energy, Dhananjaya proceeded against the (remnant of the) car-
force (of the Kauravas). The two sons of Madri, and Satyaki,
filled with joy, rushed with speed against Shakuni and slaughtered
the troops of Subala’s son. Having slain with keen shafts his
cavalry and elephants in that encounter, they rushed impetuously
against Shakuni himself, upon which a great battle took place.
Meanwhile Dhananjaya, O lord, proceeding against thy car-force,
twanged his bow Gandiva celebrated over the three worlds.
Beholding that car having white steeds yoked unto it and owning
Krishna for its driver, and seeing that Arjuna was the warrior
standing on it, thy troops fled away in fear. 25,000 soldiers on
foot, deprived of cars and mangled with shafts, had perished (at
the hands of Bhima and Dhrishtadyumna). Having slain them, that
tiger among men, that great car-warrior among the Pancalas, viz.,
the high-souled Dhrishtadyumna the son of the Pancala king, soon
showed himself, with Bhimasena before him. That slayer of foes
and mighty bowman appeared exceedingly handsome. Beholding
Dhrishtadyumna’s car which had steeds white as pigeons yoked
unto it and whose lofty standard was made of the trunk of a
Kovidara, the Kauravas fled away in great fear. The twins (Nakula
and Sahadeva) of great fame, and Satyaki, having pursued with
great speed the king of the Gandharvas who was possessed of
lightness of hands in the use of weapons, re-appeared (amid the
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Pandava ranks). Chekitana and Shikhandi and the (five) sons of

Draupadi, O sire, having slaughtered thy vast army, blew their
conchs. All those heroes, although they saw thy troops flying
away with faces turned from the field, still pursued them, like
bulls pursuing angry bulls after vanquishing them. Pandu’s son
Savyasaci of great might, O king, beholding a remnant of thy
army still standing for battle, became filled with wrath. Possessed
of great energy, Dhananjaya, rushed against that car-force,
drawing his bow Gandiva celebrated over the three worlds.
Suddenly he shrouded them with showers of arrows. The dust that
was raised darkened the scene and nothing could any longer be
distinguished. When the earth was thus shrouded with dust and
when darkness covered everything, thy troops, O king, fled on all
sides from fear. When the Kuru army was thus broken, the Kuru
king, O monarch, viz., thy son, rushed against all his foes
advancing against him. Then Duryodhana challenged all the
Pandavas to battle, O chief of Bharata’s race, like the Asura Vali
in days of yore challenging the gods. At this, all the Pandava
heroes, uniting together, rushed against the advancing
Duryodhana, shooting and hurling at him diverse weapons and
upbraiding him repeatedly. Duryodhana, however, filled with
rage, fearlessly slaughtered those enemies of his in hundreds and
thousands, with keen shafts. The prowess that we then beheld of
thy son was exceedingly wonderful, for alone and unsupported, he
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fought with all the Pandavas united together. Duryodhana then

beheld his own troops who, mangled with arrows, had set their
hearts on flight, gone not far from the field. Rallying them then,
O monarch, thy son who was resolved to maintain his honour,
gladdening those warriors of his, said these words unto them: “I
do not see that spot in the earth or on the mountains, whither if ye
fly, the Pandavas will not slay you! What use then in flying away?
Small is the force that the Pandavas now have. The two Krishnas
also are exceedingly mangled. If all of us stay for battle, victory
will certainly be ours. If we fly in disunion, the sinful Pandavas,
pursuing us, will certainly slay all of us. For this, it is better that
we should die in battle. Death in battle is fraught with happiness.
Fight, observant of the Kshatriya’s duty. He that is dead knows no
misery. On the other hand, such a one enjoys eternal bliss
hereafter. Listen, ye Kshatriyas, ay, all of you, that are assembled
here! When the destroyer Yama spareth neither the hero nor the
coward, who is there so foolish of understanding, although
observant of a Kshatriya’s vow like us, that would not fight.
Would ye place yourselves under the power of the angry foe
Bhimasena? It behoveth you not to abandon the duty observed by
your sires and grandsires. There is no greater sin for a Kshatriya
than flight from battle. There is no more blessed path for heaven,
ye Kauravas, than the duty of battle. Slain in battle, ye warriors,
enjoy heaven without delay.’”
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“Sanjaya continued, ‘While even these words were being uttered

by thy son, the (Kaurava) warriors, exceedingly mangled, fled
away on all sides, regardless of that speech.’”
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94
“Sanjaya said, ‘The ruler of the Madras then, beholding thy son
employed in rallying the troops, with fear depicted on his
countenance and with heart stupefied with grief, said these words
unto Duryodhana.
“’Shalya said, “Behold this awful field of battle, O hero, covered

with heaps of slain men and steeds and elephants. Some tracts are
covered with fallen elephants huge as mountains, exceedingly
mangled, their vital limbs pierced with shafts, lying helplessly,
deprived of life, their armour displaced and the weapons, the
shields and the swords with which they were equipped lying
scattered about. These fallen animals resemble huge mountains
riven with thunder, with their rocks and lofty trees and herbs
loosened from them and lying all around. The bells and iron hooks
and lances and standards with which those huge creatures had
been equipped are lying on the ground. Adorned with housings of
gold, their bodies are now bathed in blood. Some tracts, again, are
covered with fallen steeds, mangled with shafts, breathing hard in
pain and vomitting blood. Some of them are sending forth soft
wails of pain, some are biting the earth with rolling eyes and some
are uttering piteous neighs. Portions of the field are covered with
horsemen and elephant-warriors fallen off from their animals, and
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with bands of car-warriors forcibly thrown down from their cars.

Some of them are already dead and some are at the point of death.
Covered also with the corpses of men and steeds and elephants as
also with crushed cars and other huge elephants with their trunks
and limbs cut off, the earth has become awful to look at like the
great Vaitarani (skirting the domains of Yama). Indeed, the earth
looketh even such, being strewn with other elephants, stretched on
the ground with trembling bodies and broken tusks, vomiting
blood, uttering soft cries in pain, deprived of the warriors on their
backs, divested of the armour that covered their limbs, and reft of
the foot-soldiers that protected their flank and rear, and with their
quivers and banners and standards displaced, their bodies adorned
with housings of gold struck deep with the weapons of the foe.
The earth looked like the cloud-covered welkin in consequence of
being strewn with the fallen bodies of elephant-warriors and
horse-men and carwarriors, all of great fame, and of foot-soldiers
slain by foes fighting face to face, and divested of armour and
ornaments and attire and weapons. Covered with thousands of
fallen combatants mangled with arrows, fully exposed to view,
and deprived of consciousness, with some amongst them whose
breaths were returning slowly, the earth seemed as if covered with
many extinguished fires. With those foremost of heroes among
both the Kurus and the Srinjayas, pierced with arrows and
deprived of life by Partha and Karna, the earth seemed as if strewn
595
with blazing planets fallen from the firmament, or like the

nocturnal firmament itself bespangled with blazing planets of
serene light. The shafts sped from the arms of Karna and Arjuna,
piercing through the bodies of elephants and steeds and men and
quickly stilling their lives, entered the earth like mighty snakes
entering their holes with heads bent downwards. The earth has
become impassable with heaps of slain men and steeds and
elephants, and with cars broken with the shafts of Dhananjaya and
Adhiratha’s son and with the numberless shafts themselves shot
by them. Strewn with well-equipped cars crushed by means of
mighty shafts along with the warriors and the weapons and the
standards upon them, cars, that is, with their traces broken, their
joints separated, their axles and yokes and Trivenus reduced to
fragments, their wheels loosened, their Upaskaras destroyed, their
Anukarsanas cut in pieces, the fastenings of their quivers cut off,
and their niches (for the accommodation of drivers) broken,
strewn with those vehicles adorned with gems and gold, the earth
looks like the firmament overspread with autumnal clouds. In
consequence of well-equipped royal cars deprived of riders and
dragged by fleet steeds, as also of men and elephants and cars and
horses that fled very quickly, the army has been broken in diverse
ways. Spiked maces with golden bells, battle-axes, sharp lances,
heavy clubs, mallets, bright unsheathed swords, and maces
covered with cloth of gold, have fallen on the field. Bows decked
596
with ornaments of gold, and shafts equipped with beautiful wings

of pure gold, and bright unsheathed rapiers of excellent temper,
and lances, and scimitars bright as gold, and umbrellas, and fans,
and conchs, and arms decked with excellent flowers and gold, and
caparisons of elephants, and standards, and car fences and
diadems, and necklaces, and brilliant crowns, and yak-tails lying
about, O king, and garlands luminous with corals and pearls, and
chaplets for the head, and bracelets for both the wrist and the
upper arms, and collars for the neck with strings of gold, and
diverse kinds of costly diamonds and gems and pearls, and bodies
brought up in a great luxury, and heads beautiful as the moon, are
lying scattered about. Abandoning their bodies and enjoyments
and robes and diverse kinds of agreeable pleasures, and acquiring
great merit for the devotion they showed to the virtuous of their
order, they have speedily gone in a blaze of flame to regions of
bliss. Turn back, O Duryodhana! Let the troops retire! O king, O
giver of honours, proceed towards thy camp! There, the Sun is
hanging low in the welkin, O lord! Remember, O ruler of men,
that thou art the cause of all this!”
“’Having said these words unto Duryodhana, Shalya, with heart

filled with grief, stopped. Duryodhana, however, at that time,
deeply afflicted and deprived of his senses, and with eyes bathed
in tears, wept for the Suta’s son, saying, “Karna! Oh Karna!”
Then all the kings headed by Drona’s son, repeatedly comforting
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Duryodhana, proceeded towards the camp, frequently looking

back at the lofty standard of Arjuna that seemed to be ablaze with
his fame. At that terrible hour when everything around looked so
resplendent, the Kauravas, all of whom had resolved to repair to
the other world, their features incapable of recognition owing to
the blood that covered them, beholding the earth, that was
drenched with the blood flowing from the bodies of men and
steeds and elephants, looking like a courtesan attired in crimson
robes and floral garlands and ornaments of gold, were unable, O
king, to stand there! Filled with grief at the slaughter of Karna,
they indulged in loud lamentations, saying, “Alas, Karna! Alas
Karna!” Beholding the Sun assume a crimson hue, all of them
speedily proceeded towards their camp. As regards Karna, though
slain and pierced with gold-winged shafts whetted on stone and
equipped with feathers and dyed in blood and sped from gandiva,
yet that hero, lying on the ground, looked resplendent like the Sun
himself of bright rays. It seemed that illustrious Surya, ever kind
to his worshippers, having touched with his rays the gore-
drenched body of Karna, proceeded, with aspect crimson in grief,
to the other ocean from desire of a bath. Thinking so, the throngs
of celestials and rishis (that had come there for witnessing the
battle) left the scene for proceeding to their respective abodes. The
large crowd of other beings also, entertaining the same thought,
went away, repairing as they chose to heaven or the earth. The
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foremost of Kuru heroes also, having beheld that wonderful battle

between Dhananjaya and Adhiratha’s son, which had inspired all
living creatures with dread, proceeded (to their nightly quarters),
filled with wonder and applauding (the encounter). Though his
armour had been cut off with arrows, and though he had been
slain in course of that dreadful fight, still that beauty of features
which the son of Radha possessed did not abandon him when
dead. Indeed, everyone beheld the body of the hero to resemble
heated gold. It seemed to be endued with life and possessed of the
effulgence of fire or the sun. All the warriors, O king, were
inspired with fright at sight of the Suta’s son lying dead on the
field, like other animals at sight of the lion. Indeed, though dead,
that tiger among men seemed ready to utter his commands.
Nothing, in that illustrious dead, seemed changed. Clad in
beautiful attire, and possessed of a neck that was very beautiful,
the Suta’s son owned a face which resembled the full moon in
splendour. Adorned with diverse ornaments and decked with
Angadas made of bright gold, Vaikartana, though slain, lay
stretched like a gigantic tree adorned with branches and twigs.
Indeed, that tiger among men lay like a heap of pure gold, or like
a blazing fire extinguished with the water of Partha’s shafts. Even
as a blazing conflagration is extinguished when it comes in
contact with water, the Karna-conflagration was extinguished by
the Partha-cloud in the battle. Having shot showers of arrows and
599
scorched the ten points of the compass, that tiger among men, viz.,
Karna, along with his sons, was quieted by Partha’s energy. He
left the world, taking away with him that blazing glory of his own
which he had earned on earth by fair fight. Having scorched the
Pandavas and the Pancalas with the energy of his weapons, having
poured showers of arrows and burnt the hostile divisions, having,
indeed, heated the universe like the thousand-rayed Surya of great
beauty, Karna, otherwise called Vaikartana, left the world, with
his sons and followers. Thus fell that hero who was a Kalpa tree
unto those swarms of birds represented by suitors. Solicited by
suitors he always said, “I give” but never the words “I have not!”
The righteous always regarded him as a righteous person. Even
such was Vrisha who fell in single combat. All the wealth of that
high-souled person had been dedicated to the Brahmanas. There
was nothing, not even his life, that he could not give away unto
the Brahmanas. He was ever the favourite of ladies, exceedingly
liberal, and a mighty car-warrior. Burnt by the weapons of Partha,
he attained to the highest end. He, relying upon whom thy son had
provoked hostilities, thus went to heaven, taking away with him
the hope of victory, the happiness, and the armour of the
Kauravas. When Karna fell, the rivers stood still. The Sun set with
a pale hue. The planet Mercury, the son of Soma, assuming the
hue of fire or the Sun, appeared to course through the firmament
in a slanting direction. The firmament seemed to be rent in twain;
600
the earth uttered loud roars; violent and awful winds began to
blow. All the points of the horizon, covered with smoke, seemed
to be ablaze. The great oceans were agitated and uttered awful
sounds. The mountains with their forests began to tremble, and all
creatures, O sire, felt pain. The planet Jupiter, afflicting the
constellation Rohini assumed the hue of the moon or the sun.
Upon the fall of Karna, the subsidiary points also of the compass
became ablaze. The sky became enveloped in darkness. The earth
trembled. Meteors of blazing splendour fell. Rakshasas and other
wanderers of the night became filled with joy. When Arjuna, with
that razor-faced shaft, struck off Karna’s head adorned with a face
beautiful as the moon, then, O king, loud cries of “Oh!” and
“Alas!” were heard of creatures in heaven, in the welkin, and on
the earth. Having in battle slain his foe Karna who was
worshipped by the gods, the gandharvas, and human beings,
Pritha’s son Arjuna looked resplendent in his energy like the deity
of a 1,000 eyes after the slaughter of Vritra. Then riding on that
car of theirs whose rattle resembled the roar of the clouds and
whose splendour was like that of the meridian sun of the autumnal
sky, which was adorned with banners and equipped with a
standard incessantly producing an awful noise, whose effulgence
resembled that of the snow or the Moon or the conch or the
crystal, and whose steeds were like those of Indra himself, those
two foremost of men, viz., the son of Pandu and the crusher of
601
Keshi, whose energy resembled that of the great Indra, and who
were adorned with gold and pearls and gems and diamonds and
corals, and who were like fire or the sun in splendour, fearlessly
careered over the field of battle with great speed, like Vishnu and
Vasava mounted on the same chariot. Forcibly divesting the
enemy of his splendour by means of the twang of gandiva and the
slaps of their palms, and slaying the Kurus with showers of shafts,
the Ape-bannered Arjuna, the Garuda-bannered Krishna, both of
whom were possessed of immeasurable prowess, those two
foremost of men, filled with joy, took up with their hands their
loud-sounding conchs adorned with gold and white as snow, and
placing them against their lips, blew simultaneously with those
beautiful mouths of theirs, piercing the hearts of their foes with
the sound. The blare of pancajanya and that of devadatta filled the
earth, the sky, and heaven.
At the sound of the heroic Madhava’s conch as also at that of

Arjuna’s, all the Kauravas, O best of kings, became filled with
fright. Those foremost of men, causing the forests, the mountains,
the rivers and the points of the compass to resound with the blare
of their conchs, and filling the army of thy son with fright,
gladdened Yudhishthira therewith. As soon as the Kauravas heard
the blare of those conchs that were thus being blown, all of them
left the field with great speed, deserting the ruler of the Madras
and the chief of the Bharatas, O Bharata, viz., Duryodhana. Then
602
diverse creatures, uniting together, congratulated Dhananjaya, that

hero shining resplendent on the field of battle, as also Janardana,
those two foremost of men who then looked like a couple of risen
suns. Pierced with Karna’s arrows, those two chastisers of foes,
Acyuta and Arjuna, looked resplendent like the bright and many-
rayed moon and the sun risen after dispelling a gloom. Casting off
those arrows, those two mighty warriors, both endued with
unrivalled prowess, surrounded by well-wishers and friends,
happily entered their own encampment, like the lords Vasava and
Vishnu duly invoked by sacrificial priests. Upon the slaughter of
Karna in that dreadful battle, the gods, gandharvas, human beings,
caranas, great rishis, yakshas, and great nagas, worshipped
Krishna and Arjuna with great respect and wished them victory
(in all things). Having received all their friends then, each
according to his age, and applauded by those friends in return for
their incomparable feats, the two heroes rejoiced with their
friends, like the chief of the celestials and Vishnu after the
overthrow of Vali.’”
603
95
“Sanjaya said, ‘Upon the fall of Karna otherwise called

Vaikartana, the Kauravas, afflicted with fear, fled away on all
sides, casting their eyes on empty space. Indeed, hearing that the
heroic Karna had been slain by the foe, all thy troops, stupefied
with fear, broke and fled in all directions. Then, O king, the
leaders, filled with anxiety, desirous of withdrawing their troops,
O Bharata, whose flight had been endeavoured to be checked by
thy son. Understanding their wishes, thy son, O bull of Bharata’s
race, acting according to the advice of Shalya, withdrew the army.
Then Kritavarma, O Bharata, surrounded by thy unslaughtered
remnant of thy Narayana troops of thy army, quickly proceeded
towards the encampment. Surrounded by a 1,000 gandharvas,
Shakuni, beholding the son of Adhiratha slain, proceeded quickly
towards the encampment. Sharadvata’s son, Kripa, O king,
surrounded by the large elephant force that resembled a mass of
clouds, proceeded quickly towards the encampment. The heroic
Ashvatthama, repeatedly drawing deep breaths at the sight of the
victory of the Pandavas, proceeded quickly towards the
encampment. Surrounded by the unslaughtered remnant of the
samsaptakas which was still a large force, Susharma also, O king,
proceeded, casting his eyes on those terrified soldiers. King
604
Duryodhana, deeply afflicted and deprived of everything,

proceeded, his heart filled with grief, and a prey to many cheerless
thoughts. Shalya, that foremost of car-warriors, proceeded
towards the camp, on that car deprived of standard, casting his
eyes on all sides. The other mighty car-warriors of the Bharata
army, still numerous, fled quickly, afflicted with fear, filled with
shame, and almost deprived of their senses. Indeed seeing Karna
overthrown, all the Kauravas fled away quickly, afflicted and
anxious with fear, trembling, and with voices choked with tears.
The mighty car-warriors of thy army fled away in fear, O chief of
Kuru’s race, some applauding Arjuna, some applauding Karna.
Amongst those thousands of warriors of thy army in that great
battle, there was not a single person who had still any wish for
fight. Upon the fall of Karna, O monarch, the Kauravas became
hopeless of life, kingdom, wives, and wealth. Guiding them with
care, O lord, thy son, filled with grief and sorrow, set his heart
upon resting them for the night. Those great car-warriors also, O
monarch, accepting his orders with bent heads, retired from the
field with cheerless hearts and pale faces.’”
605
96
“Sanjaya said, ‘After Karna had thus been slain and the Kaurava
troops had fled away, he of Dasharha’s race, embracing Partha
from joy, said unto him these words: “Vritra was slain by thee.
Men will talk (in the same breath) of the slaughter of Vritra and
Karna in awful battle. Vritra was slain in battle by the deity of
great energy with his thunder. Karna hath been slain by thee with
bow and sharp arrows. Go, O son of Kunti, and represent, O
Bharata, unto king Yudhishthira the just, this prowess of thine that
is capable of procuring thee great fame and that hath become well-
known in the world. Having represented unto king Yudhishthira
the just, this slaughter of Karna in battle for compassing which
thou hadst been endeavouring for a long course of years, thou wilt
be freed from the debt thou owest to the king. During the progress
of the battle between thyself and Karna, the son of Dharma once
came for beholding the field. Having, however, been deeply and
exceedingly pierced (with arrows), he could not stay in battle. The
king, that bull among men, then went back to his tent.” Partha
answered Keshava, that bull of Yadu’s race, saying, “So be it!’
The latter then cheerfully caused the car of that foremost of car-
warriors to turn back. Having said these words unto Arjuna,
Krishna addressed the soldiers, saying, “Blessed be ye, stand all of
606
you carefully, facing the foe!” Unto Dhrishtadyumna and

Yudhamanyu and the twin sons of Madri and Vrikodara and
Yuyudhana, Govinda said, “Ye kings, until we come back having
informed the king of Karna’s slaughter by Arjuna, stand ye here
with care.” Having received the permission of these heroes, he
then set out for the quarters of the king. With Partha in his
company, Govinda beheld Yudhishthira, that tiger among kings,
lying on an excellent bed of gold. Both of them then, with great
joy, touched the feet of the king. Beholding their joy and the
extraordinary wounds on their bodies, Yudhishthira regarded the
son of Radha to be dead and rose quickly from his bed. That
chastiser of foes, the mighty-armed monarch, having risen from
his bed, repeatedly embraced Vasudeva and Arjuna with affection.
That descendant of Kuru’s race then asked Vasudeva (the
particulars of Karna’s death). Then the sweet-speeched Vasudeva
that descendant of the Yadu race, spoke to him of Karna’s death
exactly as it had happened. Smiling then, Krishna, otherwise
called Acyuta, joined his palms and addressed king Yudhishthira
whose foes had been killed saying, “By good luck, the wielder of
Gandiva, and Vrikodara, the son of Pandu, and thyself, and the
two sons of Madri, are all safe, having been freed from this battle
that has been so destructive of heroes and that made the very hair
of the body to stand on end. Do thou those acts, O son of Pandu,
which should next be done. The Suta’s son Karna, possessed of
607
great might and otherwise called Vaikartana, hath been slain. By

good luck, victory hath become thine, O king of kings. By good
luck, thou growest, O son of Pandu! The Earth drinketh today the
blood of that Suta’s son, that wretch among men, who had
laughed at the dice-won Krishna. That foe of thine, O bull of
Kuru’s race, lieth today on the bare ground, pierced all over with
arrows. Behold that tiger among men, pierced and mangled with
shafts. O thou of mighty arms, rule now, with care, this earth that
is divested of all thy foes, and enjoy with us, all kinds of
enjoyable articles!’”
“Sanjaya continued, ‘Having heard these words of the high-souled

Keshava, Yudhishthira, with great joy, worshipped in return that
hero of Dasharha’s race. “Good luck, Good luck!” were the
words, O monarch, that he said. And he added, “It is not
wonderful, O mighty-armed one, in thee, O son of Devaki, that
Partha, having obtained thee for his charioteer, should achieve
feats that are even super-human.” Then that chief of Kuru’s race,
that righteous son of Pritha, taking hold of Keshava’s right arm
adorned with Angadas, and addressing both Keshava and Arjuna,
said, “Narada told me that ye two are the gods Nara and
Narayana, those ancient and best of Rishis, that are ever employed
in the preservation of righteousness. Gifted with great
intelligence, the master Krishna Dvaipayana, the highly blessed
Vyasa, also hath repeatedly told me this celestial history. Through
608
thy influence, O Krishna, this Dhananjaya the son of Pandu,

facing his foes, hath vanquished them, without ever turning back
from any of them. Victory, and not defeat, we are certain to have,
since thou hast accepted the drivership of Partha in battle.”
Having said these words, king Yudhishthira the just, that tiger
among men, mounting his car, adorned with gold and having
steeds of ivory white and black tails and fleet as thought harnessed
unto it, and surrounded by many Pandava troops, set out,
conversing pleasantly with Krishna and Arjuna along the way, for
beholding the field of battle on which thousands of incidents had
taken place. Conversing with those two heroes, viz., Madhava and
Phalguna, the king beheld Karna, that bull among men, lying on
the field of battle. Indeed, king Yudhishthira beheld Karna pierced
all over with arrows like a Kadamva flower with straight filaments
all around its body. Yudhishthira beheld Karna illuminated by
thousands of golden lamps filled with perfumed oil. Having
beheld Karna with his son slain and mangled with shafts sped
from Gandiva, king Yudhishthira repeatedly looked at him before
he could believe his eyes. He then applauded those tigers among
men, Madhava and Phalguna, saying, “O Govinda, today I have
become king of the earth, with my brothers, in consequence of
thyself of great wisdom having become my protector and lord.
Hearing of the slaughter of that tiger among men, the proud son of
Radha, the wicked-souled son of Dhritarashtra will be filled with
609
despair, as regards both life and kingdom. Through thy grace, O

bull among men, we have acquired our objects. By good luck,
victory hath been thine, O Govinda! By good luck, the enemy hath
been slain. By good luck, the wielder of Gandiva, the son of
Pandu, hath been crowned with victory. Thirteen years we have
passed in wakefulness and great sorrow. O thou of mighty arms,
through thy grace, we will sleep happily this night.” In this way, O
ruler of men, king Yudhishthira the just, praised Janardana greatly
as also Arjuna, O monarch!’
“Sanjaya continued, ‘Beholding Karna with his son slain with

Partha’s shafts, that perpetuator of Kuru’s race, Yudhishthira,
regarded himself as reborn. The kings (in the Pandava army),
great car-warriors—all filled with joy, approached Kunti’s son
Yudhishthira and gladdened him greatly. Nakula, and Sahadeva,
and Vrikodara the son of Pandu, and Satyaki, O king, that
foremost of car-warriors among the Vrishnis, and
Dhrishtadyumna, and Shikhandi, and others among the Pandus,
the Pancalas, and the Srinjayas, worshipped the son of Kunti at the
slaughter of the Suta’s son. Extolling king Yudhishthira, the son
of Pandu, those delighters in battle, those effectual smiters, those
heroes possessed of sureness of aim and longing for victory, also
praised those scorchers of foes, viz., the two Krishnas, with
speeches fraught with panegyrics. Then those great car-warriors,
filled with delight, proceeded towards their own camp. Thus
610
occurred that great carnage, making the hair stand on end, in

consequence, O king, of thy evil policy! Why dost thou grieve for
it now?’”
Vaishampayana continued, “Hearing those evil tidings, the Kuru

king Dhritarashtra suddenly fell down on the ground from his
excellent seat. Similarly, the royal lady Gandhari of great
foresight fell down. She indulged in diverse lamentations, for the
slaughter of Karna in battle. Then Vidura and Sanjaya both raised
the fallen monarch and began to console him. Similarly the Kuru
ladies raised Gandhari. Thinking destiny and necessity to be all
powerful, that royal ascetic, under that great grief, seemed to lose
his senses. His heart filled with anxiety and sorrow, the king,
however, did not again swoon away. Comforted by them, he
remained silent, indulging in melancholy musing. He that reads of
this great battle, which is like unto a sacrifice, between the high-
souled Dhananjaya and Adhiratha’s son, so also he that hears the
account of this battle read, both obtain, O Bharata, the fruit of a
great sacrifice duly performed. The learned say that the holy and
the eternal Vishnu is Sacrifice, and each of those other gods, viz.,
Agni, Wind, Soma, and Surya, is so. Therefore, he that will,
without malice, hear or recite this Parvan, will be happy and
capable of attaining to every region of bliss. Filled with devotion,
men always read this sacred and first of Samhitas. They that do,
rejoice, obtaining wealth, and grain, and fame. A man must,
611
therefore, ever hear it without malice. He that does so will obtain

all kinds of happiness. With that foremost of persons, Vishnu, and
the illustrious Self-born, and Bhava also, become pleased. A
Brahmana, by reading it, would obtain the fruit of having studied
the Vedas; a Kshatriya obtains strength and victory in battle;
Vaishyas would obtain immense wealth, and Shudras would
obtain health and freedom from disease. Then again the
illustrious Vishnu is eternal. And since it is that god who hath
been glorified in this Parvan, it is for this that the man reading or
hearing it becometh happy and acquireth all the objects of his
heart. These words of the great Rishi (Vyasa) can never the
untrue! The merit that may be attained by listening to the
recitation of the Karna Parvan is equal to his who giveth away
unceasingly for a whole year good cows with calves.”
The end of Karna Parv
612

Mahabharata Book 8 Karna Parva

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OF

BOOK 8 – KARNA PARVA

Translated into English Prose from the Original

The object of a translator should ever be to hold the mirror up to

details of his plan, the hopes he could legitimately cherish of

up in type and a dozen sheets were struck off. These were

This, it was supposed, would effectually guard against

the original, making such alterations as were needed for securing

my energies would have flagged and patience exhausted but for

Kisari Mohan Ganguli

Vaishampayana said, “After Drona had been slain, O monarch,

sufferings inflicted (upon the Pandavas) in consequence of the

Janamejaya said, “Having heard of the fall of Bhishma and that

Vaishampayana said, “Upon the fall of Karna, O monarch, the son

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘Hearing, O Sanjaya, of the fall of the heroic

of the samsaptakas, after the Narayana weapon of the intelligent

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘I do not feel great pain, O Sanjaya! I regard

battle, using his celestial weapons! Through fear of that warrior in

“Sanjaya continued, ‘Having said these words, O sinless one, thy

Vaishampayana said, “Hearing this intelligence, O monarch,

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘I have heard, O Sanjaya, all that thou hast

Vaishampayana continued, “Thus addressed by the king, O

Vaishampayana said, “Hearing these words, O monarch,

“Sanjaya said, ‘Endued with great prowess and invincible in

Bhimasena hath slain him. Possessed of great might, Vinda and

many thousands of wonderful elephants, hath been slain in battle

always careers in battle with the activity of the hawk. Thy

field have been slain by Savyasaci. Many thousands of Srenis, as

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘Thou hast, O son, mentioned the names of

“Sanjaya said, ‘The Kuntis possessed of great prowess in battle,

Kaikeyas, who was equal to Vrikodara himself in battle and

by Drona exerting himself with great energy. I have now told

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘When all the foremost of my warriors, O

“Sanjaya said, ‘That hero O king, to whom Drona, that foremost

battle. Artayana’s son, dauntless in battle, that first of warriors,

battle. In the midst of many kings, that foremost of men,

staying like a second Indra in the midst of his elephant division in

Vaishampayana continued, “While saying this, Dhritarashtra the

Janamejaya said, “Having heard of Karna’s fall and the slaughter

Vaishampayana said, “Hearing of the slaughter of Karna that was

with melancholy, began to lament, saying, ‘Oh!’ and ‘Alas!’ And

the Kasi-kosalas, the Suhmas, the Angas, the Nishadhas, the

an ocean of grief like a person without a raft in the sea! When, O

“Sanjaya said, ‘The world regards thee to be equal to Yayati the

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘I think destiny is supreme, and exertion

bird shorn of its wings! Weak, destitute of every resource, without

his prowess in battle or Drona who is invincible in fight, doth not,

of Duhshasana, is now indulging in lamentations! Seeing

Ashvatthama, the intelligent son of Drona, upon whom brahmanas

clouds pouring torrents of rain? Tell me also, O Sanjaya, how that

“’Duryodhana said, “Ye foremost of intelligent men, declare all of

“Sanjaya continued, ‘When that prince of men had spoken those

preceptor’s son, O king, at that time, built great hopes on Karna.

“Sanjaya continued, ‘Strong became that hope, O king, in the

slain, Karna would vanquish the Pandavas. Cherishing that hope

“Sanjaya continued, ‘Thus addressed, O monarch, king

Niskas and kine and other wealth, many foremost of brahmanas to

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘After having obtained the command of the

“Sanjaya said, ‘Having learnt Karna’s wishes, thy sons, O bull of

brothers of mighty energy, viz., Citra and Citrasena surrounded by