Bhishma-Vadha Parva — Colloquy between Bhishma and Duryodhana

Dhritarashtra said How did Shikhandin the prince of the Panchalas waxing wroth in battle rush against the son of Ganga, the grandfather of the Kurus, of illustrious soul and of regulated vows?

Who were those mighty car-warriors that activity defended Shikhandin in that occasion needing great activity, with their weapons upraised and heart longing for victory?

How did also Shantanu's son, Bhishma possessed of great prowess, fought on the tenth day, with the Pandavas and the Srinjayas?

I am unable to brook the thought of Bhishma overthrown by Shikhandin in battle. Was then his (Bhishma's) car shattered on his bow burst?

Sanjaya said Neither was the bow of Bhishma broken nor was his car shattered to fragments, when, O foremost of the Bharata, he fought on with the foe,

Slaying them in battle with many shafts of straight knots. Many hundreds and thousands of mighty car-warriors belonging to your army,

Many huge-tusked elephants, O king, as also many well-caparisoned charges, advanced to battle, with the grandsire at their head.

In perfect harmony with his vow, O foremost of the Kurus, the ever-victorious Bhishma continuously went on slaughtering the troops of the Pandavas.

The Panchalas accompanied by the Pandavas were incapable of withstanding that fierce bowman as he fought on, slaying the foe with his shafts.

When the tenth day arrived, Bhishma scattered the hostile army with his whetted shafts, by hundreds and thousands.

Then the Pandavas could not vanquish in battle that fierce bowman that sire of Pandu, who then resembled the Destroyer himself with his noose in hand.

Thereupon, 0 mighty monarch, the invincible Vibhatsu, the conqueror of the god of wealth, who was able to use his weapons even with his left hand, rushed to the spot terrifying all the car-warriors present.

Then like the Destroyer himself, Pritha's son carried through the field, roaring constantly like a lion, twanging his bow string and shooting myriad's of arrows.

Terrified at his roars, your warriors, O foremost of the Bharatas, fied, O king, out of panic, like deer flying at the sight of a lion.

Then beholding the son of Pandu, to be the master of the field, and seeing his own troops greatly afflicted, Duryodhana, oppressed with fear thus addressed Bhishma

Duryodhana said "Yonder stands the son of Pandu, owing cream-coloured steeds and Krishna himself for his charioteer, consuming my ranks, O sire, like fire itself consuming a forest.

Behold, O son of Ganga, O foremost of warriors, my troops routed and afflicted in battle, on all sides by that son of Pandu.

Just as a herd-man be labours his herd in the forest (with a cudgel), so, afflicter of foes, see my army belahored by Arjuna (with his arrows).

Routed and shattered by the arrows of Dhananjaya as my troops are, the invincible Bhishma also is slaughtering them.

Satyaki, Chekitana, the twin sons of Madri by Pandu, and also Abhimanyu of great prowess, all these warriors are crushing my hosts,

The heroic Dhrishtadyumna, aná the Rakshasa Ghatotkacha, also forcibly routing and driving away my troops in this fierce battle.

Of these troops who are being ihus slaughtered by all these mighty car-warriors, i see no other refuge, regarding the staying on the field and fighting with the foe, O Bharata,

Than yourself, O foremost of men, who are equal to the celestials in battle. Therefore do you speedily confront those warriors, and so became the protector of my afflicted army.”

Thus spoken to, O mighty monarch, your sire Devavrata, reflecting for a moment only and forming his determination, are

Spoke these words to your son, consoling him therewith "O Duryodhana, O ruler of men, hear patiently what I now speak to you.

Before the battle commenced, O mighty hero, I vowed to you, that slaying ten thousand high-souled Kshatriya warriors.

Every day, I would desist from fighting. O foremost of the Bharatas, I have acted up to my words.

This day, O highly puissant hero, I shall perform a marvelous feat. Either slain I shall lie on the field, or I will today slay the Pandavas.

Today, O foremost of male being I will liquidate the debt I owe to you, debt arising out of the food you gave me-by shuffling off this mortal coil in the very thick of battle."

Having thus spoken, o foremost of the Bharatas, that invincible hero scattering his arrows broadcast among the Kshatriyas, rushed against the ranks of the Pandavas,

Then, O foremost of the Bharatas, the Pandavas began to resist the son of Ganga wrought up with rage, remaining in the centre of his divisions and loO king like a snake of virulent poison.

Then, O delighter of the Kuru race, on that the tenth day of the battle, Bhishma exhibiting his own prowess, O king, slew hundreds and thousands of warriors.

Of those who were the foremost princes amongst the Panchalas, he robbed the strength, like the sun drawing moisture with its rays.

Having slain ten thousand swift moving elephants and also, O monarch, ten thousand chargers with their riders,

And full hundred thousands of foot soldiers, that foremost of men, Bhishma, seemed to blaze forth like fire without a streak of smoke.

None among the Pandava host was then able to look at him, as he then shone like the lustrous orb of the day shining in the Northern solstice.

Then those Pandava troops and the mighty car-warriors of the Srinjaya clan, thus afflicted by Bhishma, in battle, rushed to slay that fierce bowmen.

Then fighting with tremendous odds, Bhishma the son of Shantanu looked like the mount Meru enveloped by clouds on all sides.

Your son of Duryodhana supported by a mighty division protected Ganga's son by surrounding him on all sides.. Then ensued a terrible combat.