Bhishma-Vadha Parva — Single combats

Sanjaya said Then the mighty car-warrior Virata pierced with three arrows the mighty car-warrior Bhishma, and the latter's steeds with another three arrows.

Thereat Bhishma the son of Shantanu, that mighty bow-man endued with great strength and lightness of hands, pierced him in return with ten shafts furnished with wings of gold.

Then that fierce bow-man and mighty carwarrior of firm hands, namely, the son of Drona pierced with six shafts the wielder of the Gandiva bow between his breasts.

Thereat the slayer of his foes, that humiliator of his antagonists, namely, Phalguna (Arjuna), cut down the bow of Drona's son and pierced him sore in return with five sharp arrows.

Then the latter, endued with great impetuosity, overwhelmed with fury, not broO king the severing of his bow by Partha (Arjuna) in the battle, grasped another bow,

And, o king, pierced Phalguna (Arjuna) with ninety keen-pointed shafts then with seventy excellent arrows he pierced the son of Vasudeva. Thereupon with eyes coppery in rage, Phalguna with Krishna breathing long and hot and reflecting again and again,

And also that grinder of foes that foremost of mighty heroes pressing his bow with his left arm, and excited with rage, and wielding the Gandiva bow, placed on the bow-string sharp and straight and fierce shafts capable of depriving a foe of his life; and therewith, in that battle, speedily pierced the son of Drona.

Those shafts, in that battle, penetrating through the armour of the son of Drona drank his life-blood. But thus pierced by the wielder of the Gandiva-bow Drona's son did not flinch. Discharging similar arrows at the son of Pritha, O king, he stood unwavering in battle, desirous of protecting Bhishma of illustrious vows.

That great feat of his which consisted in his encountering the two Krishna's together in battle, was greatly applauded by the foremost among the Kurus. Having obtained from Drona various rare weapons together with the method of their withdrawal, he every day undauntedly fought amidst that host.

This is the son of my preceptor; this is the very dear son of Drona; especially he is a Brahmana, and so worthy of my veneration.

Thinking thus, that grinder of enemies the brave Bibhatsu (Arjuna) that foremost of carwarriors, showed mercy towards Bharadvaja's son.

Thereafter in that encounter leaving alone the son of Drona, Kunti's son (Arjuna) borne by white chargers, endued with great prowess, fought on displaying great lightness of hands and spreading slaughter in the ranks of the enemy.

Duryodhana pierced the mighty bow-man Bhimasena with ten shafts furnished with vulture-feathers and whetted on stone and decked with gold.

Excited with wrath, Bhimasena grasped a variegated bow of tough make, capable of depriving the foe of his life, as also ten sharp arrows.

Thereafter taking a steady aim with those keen-pointed shafts charged with great energy and fierce impetus, and drawing the bow-string back to his ears, Bhimasena struck home the ruler of the Kurus on his board chest.

Thereupon the gem that was hanging in the breast of Duryodhana by golden threads, being surrounded by those arrows appeared charming like the sun in the heavens surrounded by the planets. But your son endued with great energy, thus pierced by Bhimasena, did not brook it cooly, like a snake not bearing the sound of the tread of man.

Thereafter inflamed with rage, O king, he pierced Bhima with numerous shafts furnished with golden wings and whetted on stone, with a view to protect his own soldiers.

Thus fighting with each other and mangling each other (with shafts) in that battle, those two sons of yours, both endued with great prowess appeared beautiful like two gods.

Then that foremost of men, that slayer of hostile heroes namely the son of Subhadra pierced Chitrasena with innumerable short arrows and also Purumitra with seven shafts.

And that heroic one equal to Shakra himself in battle, piercing Satyavrata with seventy shafts, seemed to dance about on the field causing us much pain,

Chitrasena pierced him in return with ten shafts, Satyavrata with nine, and Purumitra with seven. Thus pierced the son of Arjuna while still shedding blood, severed the beautiful and mighty bow of Chitrasena that was capable to holding the foe at bay.

Penetrating his coat of mail, Arjuna's son, pierced him with a shaft on the breast. Thereat the heroic princes of your army all mighty carwarriors.

Uniting together, and inflamed with rage, pierced Arjuna's son with numerous keen pointed arrows. But the latter, conversant with excellent weapons, wounded all of them with sharp arrows.

Beholding that feat of his, your sons in that battle surrounded him on all sides, who was consuming the warriors of your army.

Like a blazing fire consuming a heap of fuel in the summer season. Thus smiting down your soldiers the son of Subhadra appeared highly beautiful.

Beholding those feats of Abhimanyu the son of Subhadra, O king, your grandson Lakshmana speedily faced him desirous of battle.

Thereupon waxing worth Abhimanyu that mighty car-warrior pierced Lakshmana of auspicious marks and his charioteer, with six well sharpened arrows.

So also, O king, Lakshmana pierced the son of Subhadra with sharp arrows; and O mighty sovereign, the feat seemed to be marvelous.

Thereat that mighty car-warrior the son of the Subhadra, slaying the four steeds of Lakshmana, as also his charioteer, rushed at him covering him with sharp shafts.

Then standing on his chariot of which the steeds were slain, Lakshmana the slayer of inimical heroes, excited with the wrath, hurled a lance aiming at the car of Subhadra's son,

The Abhimanyu, cut down with his keen pointed arrows, that dreadful and irresistible lances that resembled a snake and that was coursing swiftly toward himself.

Thereupon Gautama (Kripa) taking Lakshmana upon his chariot carried him away from the field before the very eyes of the troops.

Then in that general and dreadful engagement, the fighters rushed, one against another, smiting one another and desirous of depriving one another of his life.

The mighty-bowmen of your army and the mighty car-warrior of the Pandava host, all ready to lay down their lives in battle, began to slay one another.

Having disheveled hair, deprived of their armours shorn of their cars, and with their bows served, the Srinjaya fought on with their bare arms.

Then the mighty armed Bhishma endued with great strength waxing worth began to slay with weapons of celestial mace, the Pandavas of high-soul.

In that battle, the earth was then strewn our with the corpses and falling bodies of carwarriors, cavalry-soldiers, men, and horses and of elephants deprived of their guides.