Bhishma-Vadha Parva — Commencement of the sixty day's fight

Sanjaya said Then O monarch, when the night had worn away, the Kurus and the Pandavas, having duly rested, again marched forth for battle. Then O Bharata, a loud clangour arose there, as mighty car-warrior prepared themselves for battle, as tuskers were equipped for the coming conflict,

As the foot-soldiers donned their coats of mail and as steeds were furnished with trappings &c. Then O Bharata, on all sides was heard tremendous sound of drums and blare of conchs. Thereafter king Yudhishthira addressing Dhrishtadyumna said: “Arrange, O mighty-armed hero, the troops in the Makara array that is calculated to extirpate the enemy."

Thus spoken to by the son of Pritha (Yudhishthira) that mighty car-warrior Dhrishtadyumna, O sovereign, proclaimed that order among the car-warrior (for forming the Makara array). King Drupada and the Pandava Dhananjaya formed its head, Sahadeva along with the mighty car-warriors Nakula constituted its two eyes.

Bhimasena endued with great strength, O king, formed its beak. The son of Subhadra, the sons of Draupadi, the Rakshasa Ghatotkacha. Satyaki and the very virtuous king Yudhishthira were stationed on the neck of that array. Virata, the leader of a division, O monarch, formed its back.

The five Kaikeya brothers, united with Dhrishtadyumna and supported by a mighty division, stationed themselves on its left wing. Dhrishtaketu the foremost of men and Chekitana endued with prowess, stationing themselves on the right wing, prepared themselves for the defence of array.

O mighty monarch, at the feet of that array were stationed the ever prosperous and mighty car-warrior namely the Kuntibhoja, and Shatanika supported by a large division.

The fierce bowman Shikhandin, of great prowess being surrounded by the Somakas, together with Iravan, was stationed in the tail of that array.

Thus 0 Bharata, disposing their troops in this array, the Pandavas, O mighty monarch, donning their mails and desirous of battle at sunrise.

Rushed against the Kauravas with impetuosity, supported by their elephantswarriors, car-warrior, cavalry and infantry as also with their standard, and umbrellas, and effulgent and shinning weapons upraised.

Beholding the troops of the Pandavas thus disposed of, your sire Devavrata, O king, arranged his troops in a counter-array figuring a huge crane.

In its beak was placed that mighty bowman the son of Bharadvaja; and O ruler of man, Ashvatthama and Kripa formed its two eyes.

Kritavarma the foremost of all bowman together with the king of the Kambojas and with the Balhikas, was O foremost of men, placed in the head of that array.

Shurasena and your son Duryodhana, O Bharata, surrounded by numerous kings, was stationed in its neck, O mighty sovereign.

The ruler of the Pragjyotishas, united with the Madras, the Souviras and the Kaikeyas, and supported by a large division, was, O foremost of men, placed in its breast.

Susharma the ruler of Prasthala, clad in mail and supported by his own division stationing himself in its left wing, stood ready for battle.

The Tusharas, the Yavanas, the Shakas, together with the Chuchupa, placing themselves in the right wing of that array prepared for battle, O Bharata.

Shrutayush and Shatayush and the some of Somadatta, O Sire, supporting one another, stood in the rear of that array. Then the Pandavas rushed to battle with the Kurus. At sun rise, O mighty monarch, the engagement commenced.

Elephants rushed against car-warrior and car-warrior proceeded against elephants. Horse-soldiers rushed against horse-soldiers, and car-warrior also advanced towards horsesoldiers. Horse-soldiers, O king, also rushed against horses and elephants in that dreadful fight; also, o king, elephant-riders proceeded against elephant-riders and cavalry.

Car-warriors encountered foot-soldiers, and cavalry-soldiers also engaged with the infantry. Thus, O king, excited with wrath, they rushed against one another in that battle.

The army of the Pandavas, defended by Bhimasena, Arjuna and the twins Nakula and Sahadeva, as also by other mighty car-warrior, appeared beautiful like the sky bespangled with stars in a dark night. as

So also, your troops, O king, with Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, Shalya, Duryodhana and others, appeared beautiful like the firmament covered with the planets.

Bhimasena the son of Kunti, endued with great prowess, beholding Drona, rushed against the division of Bharadvaja's son, being borne by fleetest steeds.

The highly powerful Drona, waxing worth, in that battle, O monarch, pierced Bhishma with nine shafts made of iron directing them towards his vital parts.

Thus wounded sore in that battle by the son of Bharadvaja, Bhima dispatched the latter's charioteer to the regions of the of Death.

Then that son of Bharadvaja endued with prowess, himself holding the reins of his steeds, began to consume the Pandava host like fire consuming a heap of cotton.

Thus slaughtered by Bhishma and Drona, O foremost men, the Srinjayas with the Kaikeyas took to their heels.

So also your soldiers, mangled by Bhima and Arjuna, were deprived of their senses even where they stood, like an excellent damsel fainting away in consequence of wounded pride.

In that battle, in which many excellent heroes lost their lives, the array of your soldiers as well as that of the Pandavas was shattered and broken and O Bharata, great distress overwhelmed the two armies.

Then, O Bharata, we beheld a delightful sight, when your warriors fought with the enemy, both inspired with a singleness of purpose.

In that battle, O lord of men, the Pandavas and the Kauravas, fought with one another hurling weapons at one another.