The joy of Yudhishthira

Sanjaya said The Preceptor then, desirous of checking the progress of the son of Pandu, who had now crossed the car-host, began to cover him smilingly with his arrows.

Then seeming to drink in the arrowy showers shot from Drona's bow and confounding your troops by his illusive powers, he began to rush against your sons.

Urged on by your sons, many king all foremost bowmen, rushing with forces began to surround Bhima from all sides.

Then, O Bharata, surrounded by them, Bhima smiling and roaring like a lion, took up a dreadful mace. He then with force hurled at them that mace capable of destroying the foe, like Indra hurling his thunder against his enemies. Hurled with force and of great strength. That mace began to crush, Oking, your troops in battle; and O king, it seemed to fill the earth with its loud noise. Burning greatly, that dreadful mace terrified your sons. Then beholding that mace of great momentum wrapt up in blazing flames course towards themselves, your troops began to fly away uttering cries.

At the unbearable sound of that mace, O sire men began to fall down on the spot they stood; and many car-warriors dropped down from their cars. Slaughtered by Bhima armed with a mace in his hands, your troops began to fly away terrified from the field of battle, like deer attacked by a tiger. The son of Kunti then causing his brave adversaries to fly away, passed through that division with great force, like Suparna, that king of birds. While Bhima that leader of leaders of car hosts was thus spreading carnage in your troops. O mighty monarch, the son of Bharadvaja, viz., Drona rushed upon Bhima, checking the latter with his showers of arrows.

Then he uttered a loud war-cry, inspiring there with the Pandavas with terror. Then a dreadful combat commenced between the highsouled Bhima and Drona, that resembled that between the Gods and Asuras. Then with the sharp shafts shot from the bow of Drona.

Numerous heroes were slain by hundreds and by thousands. Then jumping down from his car and rushing with fury, the son of Pandu.

With his eyes closed, on foot, attacked Drona. Then like a bovine bull receiving a shower of rain without any pain whatsoever. Bhima that foremost of men received that shower of arrows, Proceeding from Drona's car. O sire, although wounded by Drona in battle, that puissant hero, catching hold of the shaft of Drona's car with his hands, over-threw it. Thereupon Drona thus over-thrown with vehemence by Bhima.

Mounted on another car, an flew towards the gate of the array and at that time, his driver urged his steeds to the top of their speed.

O foremost of the Kurus that feat achieved by Bhimasena was indeed wonderful. Then the mighty Bhimasena, ascending once more his own chariot.

Rushed furiously upon the division of your son; like a tempest crushing rows of trees, he then began to crush that host of the Kshatriyas.

He then proceeded resisting the hostile troops like mountains checking the surging sea;

then coming upon the division of the Bhojas, protected by Hridika's son.

O king, Bhimasena crushed it horribly and then passed through it. Terrifying his enemies with the sound of his palm-strokes, O sire.

Bhima defeated them all like a tiger defeating a herd of bulls. Then passing through the Bhoja and Kamboja divisions.

And through that of the countless Mlechchas, who were all accomplished in smiting, Bhima obtained sight of Satyaki, the mighty car-warriors engaged in fighting. He then advanced quickly and resolutely, desirous of having a sight of Dhananjaya.

Passing through all your divisions then, the son of Pandu obtained a sight of Dhananjaya engaged in battle. Then the highly puissant Bhima, that foremost of men, seeing Arjuna exerting vigourously for bringing about the slaughter of the king of the Sindhus, sent up a loud war-cry.

Like, O king, the clouds roaring at the rainy seasons. That dreadful roar of the roaring Bhimasena was then heard, O foremost of the Kurus, by Partha and the son of Vasudeva engaged in battle.

Those two heroes hearing at the same time the war-cry of the mighty Bhima themselves began to shout their war-cries, desirous of having a sight of Bhimasena. Then Pritha's son Arjuna and he of Madhu's race, both uttering their war-cries.

Rushed upon your army, monarch, like two bovine bulls. Hearing the shouts of Bhimasena and those of Phalguna the fierce bowman. The very virtuous king Yudhishthira, O monarch, became greatly delighted. Hearing their shouts the king then was relieved of his burden of anxiety. That sovereign then become hopeful of Dhananjaya's success in the battle.

While the furious Bhima was thus roaring the mighty-armed Yudhishthira that foremost of all virtuous persons, that son of Dharma, reflected smilingly for a while and then thus worded the thought that then filled his heart.

"O Bhima, you have indeed sent me information; you have truly carried out the commands of your superior. O son of Pandu, they cannot have any hope of victory in battle, whose enemy you yourself are. It is indeed fortunate that Savyasachin, that conqueror of Kubera still lives.

It is also fortunate that Satyaki of indomitable prowess is sound and safe. It if fortunate that I hear the roars of the roaring Vasudeva and Dhananjaya. He who having vanquished Shakra in battle, gratified the God of fire. It is fortunate, that slayer of foes Phalguna still lives. He depending upon whose prowess of arms we live.

Through good fortune, that Arjuna still lives and is slaughtering his foes. He who vanquished with a single bow the Daityas Nivata Kavacha who were in capable of being defeated even by the celestials themselves, it is indeed fortunate that son of Pritha still lives. He, who in the city of the Matsyas defeated the united Kauravas come with the intent of seizing the cows of the Matasya king, it is indeed fortunate that son of Pritha still lives. He who by the strength of arms slew the fourteen thousand Kekayas in battle, it is fortunate that the son Pritha still lives. He who for the sake of rescuing Duryodhana and vanquished with the force of his weapons the mighty king of the Gandharva, it is fortunate that the son of Pritha still lives. Decked with the diadem and garlands, endued with prowess, owning white steeds and having Krishna for his charioteer.

That Arjuna, ever dear to me, through good fortune still lives. Afflicted as he is sorely with the grief caused by the death of his son and striving to achieve a most difficult feat.

And even now endeavouring to compass the death of Jayadratha, he that has made a terrible vow, viz., Dhananjaya, will he succeed in slaying the king of the Sindhus in battle.

Shall I behold Arjuna again before the sun set, when he will return having fulfilled his vow through the help of Vasudeva's son?

Will the ruler of the Sindhus ever anxious for achieving the good of king Duryodhana, afford delight unto his foes, being slain by Phalguna.

Will king Duryodhana, beholding the ruler of the Sindhus slain by Arjuna, conclude peace with ourselves?

Will the wicked Duryodhana beholding his brothers slain in battle by Bhimasena, conclude peace with us?

Will the wicked Duryodhana beholding many other mighty warriors slain and fallen on the field, repent for his own folly.

Will our enmity end with the sacrifice of Bhima's self alone? Will Suyodhana conclude peace for the safety of the rest of the Kshatriyas?"

When in his heart overflowing with compassion, king Yudhishthira was thus thinking, on the other part of the field.