Bhishma-Vadha Parva — Third day's battle

Dhritarashtra said When enraged by the words of my son, O Sanjaya, Bhishma took thai fearful vow in the battle, what did he do to the Pandavas, and what did the Panchalas do to the grandsire? O Sanjaya, tell me all this.

Sanjaya said O descendant of Bharata, when the morning of that day passed away and when the sun in his westward course had gone some portion of his path.

And when the illustrious Pandava had won the victory, your father Devavrata learned in the precepts of morality.

Rushed on the fleetest steed towards the Pandava army, followed by a very large force and by all your sons.

Then O descendant of Bharata, a fearful and hair-stirring battle between ourselves and the Pandavas began in consequences of your sinful policy.

The twang of bows and the flapping of bowstrings mingling together, made a loud uproar which resembled the noise of splitting hills.

“Stay”, “Hear stand I”, “Turn back” “Stand” "O wait for you” “Strike" these were the words that were heard everywhere.

The sound of the fall of armours, of crowns and diadems and of standards, resembled the sound of falling stones on hard founds.

Hundreds and thousands of heads and arms adorned with ornaments, feil on the ground and moved in convulsions.

Some brave combatants with heads cut off still stood with weapons in their grasp and with bows.

A fearful river of blood began to run there. It was of impetuous current, it was airy with flesh and blood and the dead bodies of elephants appeared in it like (sub-marine) rocks.

It flowed from the bodies of horses, men and elephants. It was delightful to vultures and jackals. It was delightful to vultures and jackals. It ran towards the ocean of after life.

O king, O descendant of Bharata, a battle like the one that was fought between your sons and the Pandavas was never before seen or heard of.

Chariots could not makes their way, for the way was blocked by the bodies of combatants. The field of battle with the bodies of the killed elephants appeared to be strewn over with blew peaks of hills.

O sire, strewn with various coloured armours and turbans the battle field looked beautiful like the autumn sky.

Though mortally wounded, some warriors were seen to rush upon the enemy in battle with cheerfulness and pride.

Many, fallen on the field of battle, cried aloud, “O father, O brother, O friend, O kinsman, O companion, O maternal uncle, do not abandon me".

Others cried, "Come, come to .his side why are you frightened? Where do you go? I stand in battle. Do not be afraid”.

In that great battle, the son of Shantanu, Bhishma, with his bow drawn to a circle, shot arrows with blazing points which resembled snakes of virulent poison.

O descendant of Bharata, showering continuous arrows in all directions, that hero of rigid vows (Bhishma) struck the Pandava warriors calling each by name.

O king, displaying his great lightness of hands and dancing as it were along the track of his car, he appeared to be present everywhere like a circle of fire.

In consequence of his great lightness of hands, the Pandavas and the Srinjayas saw that hero in that battle multiplied to one thousand fold, though he was really alone.

Everyone present there considered Bhishma as having multiplied his self by illusion. They now saw him on the cast and on the very next moment, they saw him on the west.

Now they beheld him on the North, and on the next moment they beheld him on the South. Thus the son of Ganga was seen to fight on all directions (simultaneously).

There was none amongst the Pandavas who was able even to look at him. What they all saw were only innumerable arrows shot from his bow.

Having seen him achieve such great feats and slaughter their ranks, the heroic warriors (of the Pandava side) uttered many lamentations.

Thousands of kings came in contact with your father who was thus roving over the field in a super-human way. They fell into that fire Bhishma as flights of senseless insects fall on a blazing fire for their own destruction. Not a single arrow of that light-handed hero was futile. They cut down innumerable men, elephants and steeds. With one single straight arrow he felled down one big elephants, as a hill is brought down by the thunder-bolt. Your sire, with sharp arrows, pierced at a time two or three elephant riders clad in armour. Whoever came near that foremost of men Bhishina in that battle, was seen the very next moment to fall down on the ground. The vast army of Dharmaraja Yudhishthira, having been thus slaughtered by the greatly powerful Bhishma, gave way in one thousand directions. Thus afflicted by that shower of arrows, that vast army began to tremble even in the presence of Vasudeva (Krishna) and the illustrious Partha (Arjuna). Though the heroic leaders of the Pandu army tried their utmost, yet they could not prevent the great car-warriors of their side from running away. The prowess with which Bhishma routed that vast army was equal to that of the lord of the celestials himself.

O great king, that great army was so completely routed that no two persons were seen together; cars, elephants, and horses were pierced all over their bodies, and the standards and arrows were strewn over the field.

The Pandava army cried “Oh” and “Alas”, and became deprived of its senses. Father struck the son and the son struck the father; friends fought with dearest friends as if all were under the influence of fate. O descendant of Bharata many men of the Pandava army were seen with disheveled hair to run away throwing aside their armours. The Pandava army uttered loud lamentations. Even the very leaders of their car-warriors were seen to be as confounded as a very herd of kinc. Having seen the army thus routed, that delighter of the Yudu race (Krishna) stopped that best of car (belonging to Arjuna) and thus spoke to Partha: "O son of Pritha, the hour has now come which was desired by you.

O foremost of men, strike Bhishma or else you will lose your senses. O hero, formerly in the assembly of the kings you said," I will kill all the warriors of the sons of Dhritarashtra, headed by Bhishma and Drona, all who will fight me in battle, O Vibhatsu, O son of Kunti, O chastiser of foes, make your words now true. Your army is routed on all sides.

Behold, all the kings of Yudhisthira's army are flying away, on seeing Bhishma in battle who looks like the destroyer himself with his wide open mouth.

Having been afflicted with fear, they are running away, as do the small animals at the sight of the lion". Having been thus addressed, Dhananjaya thus spoke to Vasudeva. "Plunging through this sea of the hostile army, drive the horses to the spot where Bhishma is. I shall fell down (today) that invincible warriors, the revered Kuru grandsire.

O king, then Madhava drove those silverwhite steeds to the place where the car of Bhishma was, the car which like the very sun was incapable of being gazed at.

Having scen the mighty armed son of Pritha thus rush to fight with Bhishma, the great army of Yudhishthira rallied for battle.

Then that foremost of Kuru warriors Bhishma again and again roared like a lion. He then covered the car of Dhananjaya with a shower of arrows.

In a moment (Arjuna's) car with its standard and charioteer became invisible having been covered with that shower of arrows.

The greatly powerful Vasudeva however, fearlessly and patiently drove the horses now wounded by Bhishma's arrow.

Then Partha took up his celestial bow whose twang resembled the roar of the clouds and cut down Bhishma's bow with his sharp arrows.

Your father, the Kuru hero, took up another bow when he saw the one in his hand cut down. He strung it within the twinkling of an eye.

He drew that bow, the twang of which resembled the roar of the clouds, with his two hands. But Arjuna, now excited with anger, again cut down that bow.

Thereupon the son of Shantanu (Bhishma) praised his lightness of hand by saying, “O Partha. O son of Pandu, O mighty-armed hero, 'Excellent, Excellent'.

O Dhananjaya, such a great feat is indeed worthy of you. I have been pleased with you. O son, fight hard with me”.

Having thus praised Partha, and having taken up a large bow, that great hero hurled his arrows at Partha's car.

Vasudeva then displayed his great skill in the guiding the horses. He baffled those arrows by driving the car in quick circles.

Then, O sire, Bhishma with great force pierced both Vasudeva and Dhananjaya with keen arrows all over their bodies.

Wounded by those arrows of Bhishma those foremost of men looked like two roaring bulls with scratches of horns on their bodies.

Excited with wrath, Bhishma cover the two Krishna's on all sides with hundred and thousands of arrow.

With his sharp arrows the angry Bhishma made the Vrishni chief (Krishna) to shiver; laughing loudly also he made Krishna very much astonished.

Then seeing the great prowess of Bhishma and the mildness with which Arjuna fought, and also seeing that Bhishma was showering a continuous shower of arrows in that battle and that he was appearing like the all consuming sun in the midst of the two arinies.

And marking also that hero (Bhishma) was killing the foremost warriors of Yudhisthira's army and that he was making a great havoc amongst the troops as if the hour of dissolution had come.

The exalted Keshava, that slayer of hostile heroes, that high-souled one became unable to see what he saw. He thought that the army of Yudhishthira could not survive that slaughter.

Bhishma was capable of destroying all the Daityas and Danavas in a single day; with how much ease then could he kill the Pandavas with all their soldiers and followers.

The vast army of the illustrious Pandava (Yudhishthira) again began to fly away. Having seen the Somakas routed the Kurus gladdening the heart of the grandsire rushed to battle with great cheerfulness. (Seeing) all this, Krishna reflected;-"Clad in armour I will kill Bhishma today for the sake of the Pandavas.

I will lighten the burden of the Pandavas. Though struck with keen arrows in the battle, Arjuna does not what he should do, from respect for Bhishma.” While Krishna was thus reflecting the grandsire again hurled his arrows on Partha's car.

In consequence of those various arrows flying in all directions, all sides completely enshrouded. Neither the sky, nor the directions, nor the earth, nor the brilliant sun could be seen. were

The winds that blew appeared to be mixed with smoke; all the directions seemed to be agitated. Drona, Vikarna, Jayadratha, Bhurishrava, Kritvarma, Kripa, Shrutayusha, the ruler of Ambashta, Vinda and Anuvinda, Sudakshina, the people of the western country, the various tribes of Souviras, the Vasatis, the Kshudrakas, and the Malavas, all these at the command of the Gautamas royal son soon came to Kiritin (Arjuna) for battle. The grandson of Shini saw that Kiritin was surrounded by many thousands of horse and foot soldiers and car-warriors and great elephants. Having seen Vasudeva and Arjuna thus surrounded by infantry and elephants and horses and cars on all sides that foremost of all wielders of arms, that chief of the Shini's, soon went to that place. That ioremost of bowmen, the Shini Chief quickly rushed upon those troops and soon came to Arjuna's aid, as cars Vishnu came to the slayer Vritra. That foremost of Shini warriors cheerfully thus addressed the troops of Yudhishthira who were all frightened by Bhishma, and whose elephants, horses and numberless standards had been mangled and broken into pieces and who were all flying away from the battle-field “O Kshatriyas, were do you go? This is not the duty of virtuous men as declared by the ancients.

O foremost of heroes, do not violate your pledges; observe your own duties as heroes." Having seen that the foremost of kings were flying away from the field of battle and having also marked the mildness with which Partha fought and seeing also that Bhishma was exerting himself with all his powers and that the Kurus were rushing from all sides, the younger brother of Vasava, the illustrious protector of all the Dasharnas become unable to bear it all. He thus spoke to the famous grandson of Shini and praised him much; “O hero of the Shini race, those that are retreating are ended retreating. O Satvata chief those that are still staying, let them also go away.

Behold, I shall soon fell Bhishma down from his car and also Drona in this battle with all their followers. O Satvata chief, there is none in the Kuru army who can escape me when I am angry.

Therefore taking up my fearful discus I shall (today) kill Bhishma of rigid vows. O grandson of Shini, killing in battle these two foremost of car-warriors, namely Bhishma and Drona with all their followers, I shall gladden the heart of Dhananjaya and the king (Yudhishthira) and also of Bhima and the twin Ashvins. Killing all the sons of Dhritarashtra and all those foremost of kings who have taken their side, I will with great joy secure a kingdom today for Ajatashatru.”

Having said this, the son of Vasudeva threw off the reins of the horses and jumped down from the car. Whirling with his right arm his discus with a beautiful shape and with sharpness as that of a razors, which was as effulgent as the sun and possessed the force of one thousand thunderbolts, the high-souled Krishna rushed with great force towards Bhishma making the earth tremble under his feet.

That chastiser of foes, the younger brother of the chief of the celestial, angrily rushed towards Bhishma who stood in the midst of his troops, as a lion, from the desire of killing a large elephant, rushes towards it.

The end of his yellow garments waving in the air looked like a cloud charge with lighting. That lotus of a discus, the Sudarshana, having for its stalk the beautiful arms of Shaurin (Krishna) looked as beautiful as the primeval lotus, which was a bright as the morning sun which caused that lotus to bloom. The beautiful leaves of that lotus were as shape as the edge of a razor. Krishna's body was the beautiful lake, his arms where the stalk upon which shone the lotus. Seeing the younger brother of Mahendra excited with anger and hat he was loudly roaring, that he was armed with discus, all creatures uttered loud wails. They thought the destruction of the Kurus was near at hand. Armed with his discus, Vasudeva looked like the Samvarta fire that appears at the end of a Yuga for consuming the world.

The preceptor of the universe blazed up like a fearful cometrisen for consuming all creatures. Having seen that foremost of men, that divine personage advancing armed with discus, Shantanu's son (Bhishma) who stood on his car with his bow and arrow in hand thus fearlessly spoke “Come, come, O lord of the gods, O deity that had the universe for your abode, O god armed with mace, sword and Sarnga, I bow to you.

O lord of the universe, forcibly fell me dc wn from this excellent car. O refuge of all creates, O Krishna, in this battle, if I be killed by you, great will be my good fortune both in this world and in the next.

O Vrishni and Andhaka chief, you give me the greatest respect. My dignity will be celebrated all over the three worlds. Meanwhile, jumping from his car, Partha of mighty and long arms himself soon ran after that Yadu chief possessing massive and long arms. He soon came to him and seized him by his two arms.

That first of all gods, Krishna was excited with rage. Therefore, though thus seized, Vishnu (Krishna) forcibly dragged Vishnu (Arjuna) after him, like a tempest carrying away a tree.

The high-souled Partha, however, seized with great force his legs as he was rushing towards Bhishma; O king, he succeeded in stopping him with great difficulty on the tenth step.

When Krishna stopped, Arjuna, adorned with a beautiful golden garland cheerful, bowed to him and he then thus spoke to him “Quell our wrath o Keshava, you are the refuge of the Pandavas.

O Keshava, I swear by my sons and brothers that I will not withdrawn from the acts to which I have pledged myself. O younger brother of Indra, at your command. I will certainly annihilate the Kurus." Having heard that promise and pledged by Arjuna, Janardana became gratified. He was ever engaged in doing what is agreeable to that foremost of the Kurus, Arjuna. He therefore, discus on arms, once more mounted on the car.

That chastiser of foes once more took up the reins. Then taking up his couch called Panchajanya, Shaurin (Krishna) filled the sky and all the directions with its sounds.

Thereupon when the Kuru heroes saw Krishna adorned with necklace and Angada and ear-ring, with carved eye-lashes smeared with dust and with milk white teeth take up his couch, they sent up a loud cry.

The sounds of cymbals, drums and kettledrums and the rattle of car-wheels and also those of smaller drums, mingling with those lion-like shouts sent up by all the Kuru troops became a fearful uproar.

The twang of Partha's Gandiva which resembled the roaring of thunder filled the sky and all the directions. Shot from the bow of the Pandava, bright and blazing arrows flew in all directions.

Then the Kuru king with a large force and with Bhishma and Bhurishrava's son with arrows in their hands resembling a comet risen for consuming a constellation rushed again him.

Bhurishrava hurled at Arjuna seven javelins with wings of gold, Duryodhana hurled a fearful lance, Shalva a mace and Shantanu's son (Bhishma) a dart.

Thereupon baffling the seven javelins with seven arrows, which were as fleet as arrows, shot by Bhurishrava, Arjuna cut off with his sharp arrow the lance hurled by Duryodhana.

That hero cut down with two arrows the blazing dart, as effulgent as lightning that came towards him hurled by Shantanu's son and the mace hurled by the Madra king.

Then drawing with his two hands and with great force his beautiful and irrisisting powerful bow Gandiva he invoked with proper mantras the exceedingly wonderful and fearful weapon named Mahendra. He made it appear in the sky.

With that great weapon which was as effulgent as the blazing fire, that illustrious great bowmen, adorned with diadem and garland of gold checked the entire Kuru army.

Those arrows from Partha's bow cut off the arins, bows, standard-tops and cars, penetrated into the ranks of the kings and of the huge elephants and horses of the enemy.

Having filled all directions with those sharp and terrible arrows Partha adorned with diadem and garland of gold agitated the hearts of his foes by the fearful twang of his Gandiva.

In that fierce battle, the sounds of conchs and beat of drums and the deep rattle of cars were all silenced by the twang of the Gandiva.

Having known that twang t have been produced by the Gandiva, king Virata, and the foremost of men, and the brave Panchala king Drupada all went to the place with unrepressed hearts.

All the troops stood struck with fear each at the spot where he heard that twang of the Gandiva. None dared to go to the place whence rose that sound.

In that fearful, slaughter of the kings, heroic warriors as well as car-warriors with their charioteers were killed. elephants with bright golden housings and gorgeous standards wounded with broad headed arrows that fell upon them suddenly fell down dead with their bodies mangled by Kiritin. Forcibly struck by or Partha with his winged arrows and sharp broad headed arrows, the yantras and indragalas of the standards of innumerable kings were cut down. Innumerable foot soldiers, car-warriors, steeds and elephants fell fast on the filed, their limbs paralysed themselves speedily deprived of life afflicted by Dhananjaya with those arrows. O king, many were the warriors who in that terrible fight had their armours and bodies cut through, by that weapon named after Indra.

With those fearful and sharp arrows, Kiritin (Arjuna) made a river of blood to flow on the field of battle, its blood was supplied from the mangled bodies of the soldiers. Its forth was made by their feet.

Its current was broad and it ran fearfully. The bodies of dead elephants and horses formed its bangs. Its mire consisted of the entail, the marrow and the flesh of human beings and of the huge Rakshasas.

Innumerable crowns of human heads covered with hair formed its floating moss, and heaps of human bodies formed its sand banks. They caused that river to flow in one thousand directions, armours strewn all over it formed its waves, and the bones of human beings and elephants and horses formed its stones and pebbles.

Its banks were infested by large numbers of jackals and wolves and cranes, and vultures and crowds of Rakshasas and herds of hydras. Those that were alive saw that fearful rivers of fat, marrow and blood caused by the showers of arrows shot by Arjuna; it resembled the great Vaitarani (river). Having seen the foremost of warriors thus killed by Phalguna (Arjuna), the Chedis, the Panchalas, the Karushas, the Matsyas, and all the Pandava warriors, those foremost of men, all highly elated with victory sent up loud shouts that frightened the Kuru warriors.

They sent forth that shout indicative of victory on seeing the foremost warriors of the Kuru army, the very combatants who were protected by the (Kuru) leaders thus killed by Kiritin (Arjuna) that terror foes, who frightened them all as a lion frightens a herd of sinall animals.

Then the wielder of Gandiva and Janardana, with great delight attacked loud shouts. The Kurus with Bhishma and Drona and Duryodhana and Balhịka all mortally wounded by the weapons (of Arjuna) then saw the sun withdraw his rays. Seeing also the Mahendra weapon spread out and causing as it were the end of the Yuga, they withdrew their force for the night's rests. Thus having achieved a great feat and won great renown and having seen the sun assume a red colour and the evening twilight set in and having completed his work (for that day), Arjuna retired with his brothers to the camp for the night's rest. Then when darkness set in, a fearful and great uproar was made by the Kuru troops.

All said: "In today's battle, Arjuna has killed ten thousand car-warriors and seven hundred elephants. All the people of the western country, the various tribes of the Souviras, the Kshudrakas and the Malavas have all been killed.

The feat achieved today by Dhananjaya is indeed a very great one! None else is capable of doing it. The king of the Ambashtha, Shrutayu, Durmarshana, Chitrasena, Drona, Kripa, the Sindhu king, Balhika, Bhurishravas, Shalya, Shala, a hundreds of others warriors with Bhishma at their head have today been defeated by the wrathful son of Pritha, Kiritin, the great car-warrior of the world". O descendant of Bharata, talking thus, all the troops of your army went to their tents from the field of battle.

All the troops of the Kuru army frightened by Kiritin then went into their tents illuminated by thousands of torches and by innumerable lamps.